Summary: Suffering from amnesia, Little Joe is found in a remote town, and his rescuers attempt to reunite him with his family without causing any further trauma. Rating T, WC 22,000<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A Man Named Bill<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAll the world\u2019s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n William Shakespeare<\/em><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s starting to come around.\u00a0 Get me a glass of water.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong> Doctor Hiram Green called over to his nurse.\u00a0 The woman poured from the pitcher on the side table and brought the glass over and handed it to the doctor.<\/p>\n The young man, who had been unconscious for days, slowly opened his eyes.\u00a0 He had a searing pain that shot from the back of his skull and up over his head.\u00a0 He grimaced at the light from the lamp at the side of his bed.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, you just take it easy.\u00a0 You\u2019ve been out for awhile and I know you must have one heck of a headache to contend with right now.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram instructed as the young man pulled himself to a sitting position propped up by the pillows, which he leaned back on.\u00a0 He reached for the glass and slowly sipped at it.\u00a0 \u201cI am Doctor Green, and this is my nurse Sarah Crain.\u00a0 She has spent four days tending to you while I came and went back and forth between my ranch and this office.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u00a0 Thank you both.\u201d\u00a0 The man muttered and winced as the pain increased.<\/p>\n \u201cYou will be needing a couple more days of care before you leave here.\u00a0 I can see you are still hurting pretty bad.\u00a0 I want to ask you a few questions before I give you any more medication.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have a few questions too.\u00a0 Like where am I?\u201d\u00a0 The young man seemed a bit agitated.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are in the town of Miller\u2019s Crossing.\u00a0 A couple of ranch hands from the Triple B ranch found you and brought you here.\u00a0 You have a pretty nasty crack in your head.\u00a0 I got you stitched up, but you have been out of it ever since they found you.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t find any identification on you, what is your name?\u201d\u00a0 The doctor asked as he set the glass back down and stared into the troubled eyes of his patient.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014I don\u2019t know.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know who I am.\u201d\u00a0 The man said and a tremble took over his voice.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is wrong with me?\u00a0 I can\u2019t remember anything?\u201d<\/p>\n Doctor Green gazed over at his nurse and shook his head.\u00a0 He had warned Sarah that a head injury like they had been tending could result in many bad side effects.\u00a0 At first he had been worried that his patient might suffer from blindness due to the fierce blow he had taken.\u00a0 He had mentioned amnesia as well in their earlier discussions, and was not happy to learn that he had been correct in his previous diagnosis.\u00a0 \u201cSettle down.\u00a0 You have to remain calm.\u00a0 You should be glad that you are still alive.\u00a0 If they hadn\u2019t brought you to me when they did, you would have died out there in the woods.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut why don\u2019t I know who I am?\u00a0 Why can\u2019t I remember anything?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour injury has obviously caused some form of amnesia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is that anyway?\u00a0 How about spelling it out for me.\u00a0 I know nothing of medical terms.\u201d\u00a0 The young man lurched forward in the bed, with panic on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something that happens, usually due to a blunt trauma to the head.\u00a0 There are other things that can cause it as well.\u00a0 Now, sometimes, as the wound heals internally, you may start to have visions of past events show up in random order.\u00a0 There are cases where it all comes back to a patient all at once.\u00a0 And, unfortunately, due to the level of damage, a patient may never recover his memory.\u201d<\/p>\n The injured man fell back against the pillows due to both exhaustion and fright.\u00a0 \u201cNo-one knows who I am?\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t anything on me to give a name or anything?\u201d\u00a0 He asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid not.\u00a0 So, for now, let\u2019s try to see if something sounds familiar okay?\u201d\u00a0 Doctor Green gave a compassionate smile and saw his patient start to relax a little.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll call out some names, you tell me if one seems familiar.\u201d<\/p>\n The patient closed his eyes and nodded for the doctor to continue.<\/p>\n \u201cSteven?\u00a0 Michael?\u00a0 Jonah?\u00a0 William?\u201d\u00a0 He called out to his patient.\u00a0 The young man just shook his head discouraged.\u00a0 \u201cPete?\u00a0 Sam?\u00a0 Harry?\u00a0 Matthew?\u201d\u00a0 The doctor continued with the same results.<\/p>\n \u201cHow about Tim?\u201d\u00a0 The nurse asked and the patient shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou look kinda like a Tim to me.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled and thought more.\u00a0 \u201cTom?\u00a0 Ben?\u00a0 James?\u201d\u00a0 She called out.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing.\u00a0 Nothing sounds familiar.\u201d\u00a0 The patient sighed.\u00a0 \u201cSo, I guess I just don\u2019t have a name.\u201d\u00a0 He said defeated.<\/p>\n \u201cNot so fast there.\u201d\u00a0 The doctor patted his patient\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cNo giving up around here!\u00a0 Once you get to know me you will understand that I have no use for quitters.\u00a0 How about I give you a name to use\u2014just in the meantime?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay with me.\u201d\u00a0 The patient gave in to the idea, not wanting to feel like someone who didn\u2019t exist at all.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I knew a man in medical school.\u00a0 A fine man, by the way.\u00a0 He even looked a little like you.\u00a0 His name was Bill Carson.\u00a0 What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBill.\u201d\u00a0 The patient spoke the word and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cGuess it\u2019s as good a name as any other.\u00a0 Okay, guess I\u2019ll be Bill Carson for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine\u2014so, Bill, let\u2019s get you something for that headache shall we?\u201d\u00a0 Doctor Green smiled and poured some powder into the glass of water.<\/p>\n \u201cDoc\u2014I don\u2019t have any money.\u00a0 I guess all I have are the clothes I was wearing.\u00a0 I can\u2019t pay you for what you have already done for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd just who asked you?\u201d\u00a0 Doctor Green replied and handed Bill the drink.\u00a0 \u201cI have a boy just about your age.\u00a0 If something like this ever happened to him I would sure hope someone would take care of him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks\u2014to both of you.\u00a0 It is a bit scary to not know who I am nor what happened to me.\u00a0 I am just glad there are good people in this world like both of you.\u00a0 But, I will pay you back.\u00a0 Just as soon as I can.\u201d\u00a0 Bill responded adamantly.\u00a0 He then drank the contents of his glass and started to drift back off again.<\/p>\n \u201cYou get some rest, Bill.\u00a0 Tomorrow we will get some food into you.\u201d\u00a0 The doctor whispered as his patient went back under.\u00a0 He pulled up the covers on him and turned towards his nurse.\u00a0 \u201cI think he will be all right by himself for the rest of the night.\u00a0 You need to get on home before Jim has a fit.\u00a0 He is a good husband, but even Jim has his limits.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure he has missed having you at home the last few days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll head on home.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry, Hiram, all I have to do is fix Jim a good dinner and he will be content.\u00a0 He knows this is my job.\u201d\u00a0 Sarah pulled her coat around her shoulders and then looked back towards Bill.\u00a0 \u201cI sure do feel sorry for that boy.\u00a0 Not knowing who he is or where he\u2019s from must be awful.\u00a0 And he probably has some kin somewhere worried about him too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne problem at a time, Sarah.\u00a0 He\u2019s gonna heal fine.\u00a0 As for his memory\u2014well\u2014it\u2019s up to the man upstairs.\u00a0 My skills can only do so much.\u00a0 He does seem like a decent young man.\u00a0 We\u2019ll do what we can for him.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram walked Sarah to the door.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother lost soul that you have taken in, Doc.\u00a0 You have sure had your share of them over the years.\u201d\u00a0 Sarah smiled fondly at her employer and friend.<\/p>\n \u201cI never had the heart to chase any of them away!\u201d\u00a0 Hiram laughed and Sarah walked out of the office.<\/p>\n The next morning Bill was a bit more alert as he sat up in the bed and looked around.\u00a0 He wanted to get dressed, feeling odd just laying around in his long johns.\u00a0 His clothes were no-where to be seen.\u00a0 Before Bill could get up to check the room more thoroughly, in walked Doctor Green.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope you weren\u2019t planning to get up just yet, Bill.\u201d \u00a0He called out as he walked closer to his patient.\u00a0 \u201cYou need at least another day in bed before I will feel comfortable with you moving around.\u00a0 That head injury is nothing to play around with.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was looking for my clothes\u2014I did have clothes on when you found me didn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n Hiram laughed and replied, \u201cOf course you had clothes!\u00a0\u00a0 I took them home to have my wife wash them.\u00a0 I also brought you a change of clothes for the meantime.\u00a0 I told you that I have a son about your size.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan I at least get dressed then?\u00a0 I feel funny laying around in my underwear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomething tells me that you must have been a hard person to keep down in the past, Bill.\u00a0 I tell you what, you need to eat some breakfast and then I\u2019ll bring in some clothes for you\u2014but with the stipulation that you still stay in bed today.\u00a0 Deal?\u201d<\/p>\n Bill smiled at his benefactor and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cDeal.\u201d\u00a0 He replied.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s your head? Any better?\u201d\u00a0 Hiram asked checking the back of his patient\u2019s injury.<\/p>\n \u201cNot quite as bad.\u00a0 Nothing like it was yesterday at least.\u201d\u00a0 Bill responded and also winced from the doctor\u2019s probe of his skull.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s good, it seems as you are healing just fine.\u00a0\u00a0 And any memories yet?\u201d\u00a0 Hiram asked settling back in his chair.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember talking to you and the nurse yesterday\u2014but that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, like I told you, you have a good chance of recalling things in time.\u00a0 Now let\u2019s get you some breakfast.\u201d\u00a0 The doctor stood and walked to the door.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t going no where.\u201d\u00a0 Bill cracked a smile with his statement and settled back again.<\/p>\n \u201cHow is Bill doing?\u201d\u00a0 Nurse Sarah asked as she walked into the outer office later that day.<\/p>\n Hiram turned from his desk and put down the medical book he had been reading.\u00a0 \u201cDoing fine, Sarah.\u00a0 He has had breakfast and lunch and is back there getting dressed now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDressed?\u00a0 He\u2019s not leaving already is he?\u201d\u00a0 She asked looking a bit worried at the thought.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I told him not until tomorrow anyway.\u00a0 I get the opinion that he doesn\u2019t like staying in bed\u2014nor doctors for that matter.\u00a0 He seems a bit stubborn too.\u00a0 Not really a bad trait.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can say that because you are also stubborn!\u201d\u00a0 Sarah exclaimed and Hiram laughed at how true her statement had been.<\/p>\n Bill pulled on the black trousers, which the doctor had provided.\u00a0 They fit just fine and Bill was satisfied.\u00a0 He them buttoned up the red flannel shirt and rolled up the cuffs.\u00a0 It also fit very well.\u00a0 Bill was determined to thank the doctor\u2019s son for the loan when he got the chance.\u00a0 Just as he had promised Doctor Green, Bill sat back down on the bed and pushed himself back on the pillows.\u00a0 He closed his eyes and hoped to at least catch a fleeting memory or two, but saw nothing.\u00a0 He wondered why someone would crack him over the head and leave him out in the woods to die.\u00a0 Bill wondered if maybe he, himself, was a fugitive from the law.\u00a0 That thought made his heart race.\u00a0 He surely had at least fallen into the wrong company or wouldn\u2019t have been in the shape he now was.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like the clothes fit real nicely.\u201d Sarah said as she walked into the room.\u00a0 She noticed also that the young man before her was extremely handsome.\u00a0 Though he appeared to be either in his late teens or very early twenties, Sarah was sure there must be a young lady who was waiting on his return.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014thanks.\u00a0 Can you stay awhile, Nurse?\u201d\u00a0 Bill asked softly, he was lonesome and also afraid.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014and you can just call me Sarah.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled and sat down next to the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know I feel pretty awful about sponging off the doctor like this.\u00a0 I mean he has put me up and doctored me\u2014just as you have.\u00a0 And here I have nothing to repay him.\u00a0 He even gave me his own son\u2019s clothes.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure he doesn\u2019t make a whole lot of money doctoring folks anyway.\u00a0 I feel like I am taking advantage of him.\u201d\u00a0 Bill remarked earnestly feeling loaded down with debts to pay.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, firstly, the doctor does whatever he wants to do.\u00a0 And I am sure he doesn\u2019t feel like you owe him anything at this point, Bill.\u00a0 Unlike most doctors, Hiram owns a working ranch that is more than enough to subsidize any acts of kindness he decides are worthy.\u00a0 He meant it when he said that if his son was hurt like you were that he would hope someone would take him in.\u00a0 Now, you stop worrying about all of this and just get better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014even still\u2014I don\u2019t know what I\u2019m gonna do when I leave here.\u201d\u00a0 Bill answered his frustration mounting. \u201cI can\u2019t go home\u2014since I have no clue as to where home is.\u00a0 And I don\u2019t rightly know what I do for a living so how can I get a job?\u00a0 And I have no clue where I can stay as I have no money.\u201d<\/p>\n Before Sarah could answer the doctor walked in.\u00a0 He had heard through the doorway Bill\u2019s quandary over what he was going to do next, and could also see that the unknowing was causing more stress on his patient.\u00a0 \u201cI have all those questions answered, Bill.\u00a0 And the last thing your body needs is to be stressed out with the worry I can hear in your tone of voice.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram walked over and sat next to his nurse.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t ask for no more charity, Doc.\u201d\u00a0 Bill protested.<\/p>\n \u201cNow you just hear me out before you go turning down any suggestions.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram countered and saw the young man ease back against the pillows.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay.\u201d Bill replied.<\/p>\n \u201cSarah told you I have a ranch.\u00a0 I always have chores that need to be done.\u00a0 I think in a few days you can start doing some light duty.\u00a0 I have just spoken to two of my neighbors as well.\u00a0 They both said they would be glad to have you help out at their places as well.\u00a0 So, looks like your income problems are soon to be over.\u00a0 As far as where you can stay, it just so happens that I have a place on my property that you can use for as long as you like.\u00a0 Now, it\u2019s not much.\u00a0 Little more than a two room shack, but it will keep you out of the elements as well as giving you some privacy.\u00a0 Now what do you say?\u201d<\/p>\n Bill looked back and forth between his two care-givers and tears welled up in his eyes.\u00a0 So relieved that at least he had something concrete in mind for the future, that it allayed some of the fears.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d say yes.\u201d\u00a0 Bill nodded. \u201cAnd I\u2019d also say thank you as well.\u00a0 But, you have to let me work off some of my debt\u2014that\u2019s the only way I could accept your generous offer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine, Bill.\u00a0 You pay me in installments but first you need to get yourself all set up in your new life.\u00a0 I think you will find this a nice place to live.\u00a0 Between Sarah and myself we can introduce you to everyone in these parts.\u00a0 I think you will fit in nicely.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan I really build a new life, Doc?\u00a0 When I know nothing of what I was before?\u201d\u00a0 Bill asked intent on an answer.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you can.\u00a0 It won\u2019t be easy at first, but I think you will do fine.\u00a0 Then, as time passes perhaps you will start to remember.\u00a0 If that happens I will do everything in my power to help you get back home.\u00a0 No matter where home is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf the rest of this town are anything like the two of you\u2014I know I will be happy here.\u00a0 I know I\u2019ve said it before\u2014but thank you.\u00a0 Thank you for all of your kindness.\u201d\u00a0 Bill\u2019s eyes welled up again with tears.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, Young Man, you need your rest.\u00a0 Come on, Sarah.\u00a0 Let\u2019s let Bill get in an little nap shall we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll see you later, Bill.\u201d\u00a0 Sarah\u2019s warm smile brightened her face.\u00a0 \u201cAnd just remember everything is going to be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Bill returned Sarah\u2019s smile and then the nurse and the doctor left the room.<\/p>\n Bill walked around his new home and was very pleased.\u00a0 It was a two room shack just as the doctor had said.\u00a0 But, the place was warm and dry and had a separate back room with two bunks in it.\u00a0 There was a large pot-bellied stove in the center of the main room, which would provide both warmth and a place to cook his food.<\/p>\n \u201cWell?\u201d\u00a0 Hiram asked noticing the pleasure on his patient\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is great, Doc! Just great.\u201d\u00a0 Bill answered and walked back over to him.<\/p>\n Hiram reached for a box he had brought in and put it up on the table.\u00a0 \u201cMy wife sent you all the basic essentials.\u00a0 Flour, sugar, coffee.\u00a0 Oh, and there\u2019s some cured ham in here and some cans of beans.\u00a0 Just enough to get you by for a little while.\u00a0 Oh, and my son Vince sent you another change of clothes.\u00a0 They are hand me downs, but still in good condition.\u00a0 The clothes you were wearing when they found you are in here too, all washed and ironed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s really kind of your wife\u2014oh and your son.\u00a0 I want to thank them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy wife, Linda, wants you to come over on Sunday for dinner.\u00a0 And she told me not to take no for an answer either.\u00a0 If you think I am stubborn and bossy\u2014you haven\u2019t seen anything until you get to know her!\u201d\u00a0 Hiram laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have a good family, Doc.\u00a0 But, I am still going to pay you back, just as soon as I can.\u00a0 When can I start working?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if you think you are up to it\u2014first thing you need to do is get you up some firewood.\u00a0 The nights are cold around here.\u00a0 There\u2019s a few logs over to the side of the shack you can cut.\u00a0 I left an axe out there for you.\u00a0 Then, how about you come over to my place next Monday and Vince can show you around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFirst\u2014when is Sunday? I sure don\u2019t want to miss that dinner.\u201d\u00a0 Bill grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014sorry I forgot you have been out of it for awhile.\u00a0 Day after tomorrow.\u00a0 I\u2019ll come and fetch you and take you home.\u00a0 We have some extra horses, I will get one saddled and ready for you and you can ride it back that night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have seen to everything haven\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne more thing, Bill.\u201d \u00a0Hiram said turning deadly serious.\u00a0 He walked over to the door.\u00a0 Reaching\u00a0 behind a cabinet he pulled out a shotgun.\u00a0 \u201cThis is loaded and you will find some extra shells in one of these drawers.\u00a0 Now, for the most part we are a pretty peaceful town with lots of great folks.\u00a0 But, since you were attacked and we don\u2019t know if whoever did it is anywhere around\u2014well, I think you need something just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n Bill nodded his understanding.\u00a0 \u201cI have thought about that too.\u00a0 I hope whoever did it and left me for dead high-tailed it away.\u00a0 But, it\u2019s nice to know I can defend myself.\u00a0 I sure do thank you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Hiram broke in, \u201cBoy, you have thanked me about a million times already.\u00a0 Now, don\u2019t think no more about it.\u00a0 Guess I need to go.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be back on Sunday to get you.\u00a0 Now don\u2019t over do cutting that wood\u2014you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Bill nodded and followed the doctor to the door.\u00a0 \u201cSee you Sunday and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t say it!\u201d\u00a0 Hiram exclaimed knowing he was about to be thanked yet another time.\u00a0 Bill laughed and waved goodbye as the doctor got into his carriage and sent the horses on their way.<\/p>\n Bill walked behind the shack and picked up the axe the doctor had set out for him.\u00a0 He weighed it in his left hand.\u00a0 Bill closed his eyes and tried to remember having used an axe before.\u00a0 He came up without a memory, but as he chopped into the log he knew he had done it before.\u00a0 With the precision of a logger, Bill made quick work of it.\u00a0 He soon had enough firewood for the night.\u00a0 Bundling it up in his arms, Bill was satisfied with what he had accomplished.\u00a0 He headed into his new home to get a fire started in the stove.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Doc!\u201d\u00a0 Came the call from across the street.\u00a0 Hiram stopped his progression into his office and turned towards the voice.\u00a0 The caller walked over to where the doctor stood and shook his hand.<\/p>\n Hiram smiled up at the tall lad.\u00a0 At over six feet tall, the young man towered over the doctor.\u00a0 His smile was bright and charming. Hiram knew that it had been that very smile which had lured his daughter Elizabeth to fall in love with the man before him.\u00a0 Keith Statham, the young man who would soon be a member of the Green family.<\/p>\n \u201cKeith, I thought you were still away on that business trip?\u00a0 When did you get back?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust this morning.\u00a0 I\u2019ve already been to see Beth.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned a little sheepishly. He still was not exactly sure of how the doctor actually felt about the two of them getting married.\u00a0 Hiram had not protested two months earlier when his youngest child had brandished the engagement ring.\u00a0 But, he had informed the two lovers that there was nothing wrong with a long engagement.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I know she is in a good mood then.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram nodded thinking of the way the girl\u2019s whole personality changed when Keith was around.\u00a0 \u201cHow was your trip?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI made some great contacts.\u00a0 It won\u2019t be long before I can open my own business. You know I want the very best for Beth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s where we agree.\u00a0 Elizabeth is a fine sweet girl.\u00a0 She deserves to be happy.\u00a0 And, since it looks like she will be with you, I am counting on you taking good care of her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will, Sir.\u00a0 Hey\u2014Beth says there was some trouble out this way.\u00a0 Said that you have been doctoring a patient who was bushwhacked.\u201d\u00a0 Keith took a seat on the porch of the Doctor\u2019s office building.\u00a0 Hiram sat down next to him.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, a young man was cracked over the head and left to die out in the woods behind Myer\u2019s Ridge.\u00a0 He\u2019s just now getting settled in that old cabin on our ranch.\u00a0 He seems like a fine man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeth said he doesn\u2019t remember anything.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t even know who he is.\u00a0 That\u2019s kinda strange isn\u2019t it\u2014I mean not to remember anything?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt happens, called amnesia.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWill he ever get better?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou seem awfully concerned about someone you never met!\u201d The doctor laughed at the intensity on Keith\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, guess it\u2019s selfish on my part.\u00a0 Anyone who comes in contact with Beth is my business now.\u00a0 You don\u2019t even know if the guy was running from the law or anything.\u00a0 You think it\u2019s safe to have him on your property?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe boy needs someone to care about him.\u00a0 Now wouldn\u2019t you expect someone to take care of you if something awful like this happened to you?\u00a0 And Vince\u2014he is no older than my own son.\u00a0 Keith, I know you love my daughter, but you have to think about others too.\u00a0 Bill is harmless.\u00a0 I intend to make sure he starts a new life here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBill?\u00a0 How\u2019d he get that name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt fits him.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram stated and stood up.\u00a0 \u201cI have some business to attend to.\u00a0 I will see you tomorrow for dinner\u2014and at that time you will meet Bill.\u00a0 I hope you will do all you can to make him feel comfortable.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram spoke, and in his tone came a bit of a warning.<\/p>\n \u201cSure!\u00a0 If you say he\u2019s okay I believe you.\u00a0 See you tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0 Keith smiled to show he had accepted the thought of Bill staying.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to get on his future father-in-laws bad side anyway.<\/p>\n \u201cSee you tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram said and turned into his office.<\/p>\n Bill sat on the porch of his new home and sipped at his coffee.\u00a0 He had chopped wood all day and his body ached.\u00a0 Looking forward to meeting the doctor\u2019s family the following day, Bill smiled at the thought.\u00a0 He wanted to be around people, and he was finding it a bit lonely out by himself at the cabin.\u00a0 He had spent his first night tossing from nightmares.\u00a0 Each time he awoke he could not remember anything of his dream.\u00a0 It was as frustrating as not remembering who he was.<\/p>\n Hearing a horse approaching, and not wanting to take any chances, Bill reached inside the cabin and grabbed the rifle.\u00a0 He then sat back down on the porch and waited for the rider to come into view.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s far enough!\u201d\u00a0 Bill shouted out at the rider as he came up into the yard.\u00a0 Pointing the shotgun at his visitor he looked him over.\u00a0 \u201cWho are you?\u201d\u00a0 Bill asked still not dropping down his weapon.<\/p>\n \u201cMy name is Keith\u2014Keith Statham.\u00a0 I just came out to welcome you.\u00a0 Doc told me he gave you this cabin to stay in.\u00a0 I\u2019m his daughter Beth\u2019s fianc\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n Bill lowered his shotgun and grinned a bit embarrassed at Keith.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know many people yet.\u00a0 Guess I\u2019m a bit jumpy. \u00a0You want to come in for some coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can only stay a minute\u2014heading over to see my girl.\u201d\u00a0 Keith said as he dismounted.\u00a0 He held out his hand and Bill accepted it.\u00a0 \u201cBill isn\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0 Keith asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Bill Carson.\u00a0 But, I guess since you are seeing the Doc\u2019s daughter you know all about me, right?\u201d\u00a0 Bill asked as the two young men sat down on the porch.<\/p>\n \u201cI know some.\u00a0 Doc says you have no memory of who you are or what you were doing before you came here.\u00a0 Is that right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that\u2019s right.\u201d\u00a0 Bill stated flatly.\u00a0 A bit upset to be addressing his problem.<\/p>\n \u201cYou haven\u2019t remembered anything?\u201d\u00a0 Keith continued.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 Bill shouted and stood up.\u00a0 Looking down at Keith\u2019s reaction, Bill regretted his anger.\u00a0 \u201cSorry\u2014this is all still new to me.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t mean to yell at you.\u00a0 It\u2019s just the fact that most likely I will never know who I was\u2014that bothers me more than anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n Keith stood and patted Bill\u2019s arm, showing him there were no hard feelings for his previous outburst.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you don\u2019t need to worry.\u00a0 You\u2019ll have friends here.\u00a0 Doc and his wife are the best\u2014so is his son Vince.\u00a0 And, I\u2019ll help you any way I can.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks.\u201d\u00a0 Bill nodded and smiled to show his gratitude.\u00a0 \u201cSure you don\u2019t want any coffee?\u00a0 I got plenty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014maybe next time, Bill.\u00a0 Beth won\u2019t appreciate it if I am late.\u00a0 You know women!\u00a0 I\u2019ll see you tomorrow at Doc\u2019s for dinner.\u201d\u00a0 Keith replied and mounted his horse.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks for coming by.\u00a0 See you tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0 Bill said and Keith turned his horse around and galloped out of the yard.<\/p>\n A blinding pain shot through Bill the instant that Keith had left.\u00a0 He fell back down on the porch grabbing his head with his hands.\u00a0 Closing his eyes he tried to fight off the nausea that accompanied the headache.\u00a0 Bright colors flashed in his brain and faint sounds, as though mumbled conversations were being said by unknown speakers.<\/p>\n Bill struggled back into the cabin and collapsed on a bunk in the back room.\u00a0 This was the worst headache he had ever had.\u00a0 The fierceness of it scared him.\u00a0 But, wondering what had brought it on scared him even more.<\/p>\n Hoss Cartwright sat in the living room of the Ponderosa.\u00a0 The fireplace filled the large room with warmth and a bright glow.\u00a0 He wished he felt that warm inside, but he didn\u2019t.\u00a0 Staring over for the hundredth time at his father, he could tell that the white-haired man was ignoring him.\u00a0 He knew what Hoss wanted to talk about, but had done his very best to side step his middle son\u2019s worry.<\/p>\n \u201cIt ain\u2019t like him.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss finally stated and noticed the frown that took over his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve talked about this for days now, Hoss.\u00a0 You know your little brother.\u00a0 That youngster has never been on time in his entire life.\u00a0 This is no exception.\u00a0 Now, let\u2019s just let it go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI should have gone with him to make that deal.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss continued and Ben tossed down the book he held in his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s twenty years old.\u00a0 You and Adam were going off by yourselves to handle business long before either of you were twenty.\u00a0 I wanted to give the boy some responsibility.\u201d\u00a0 Ben defended what he had later regretted his decision to send his youngest off alone.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s packing five thousand dollars with him, Pa.\u00a0 And he should have been back a week ago.\u00a0 Don\u2019t sit there and pretend with me that you are not worried.\u00a0 I know you haven\u2019t been sleeping and you have been a bear to live with for days.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss insisted, now standing.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I am worried, just as I always worry about the three of you.\u00a0 Joseph probably decided on his own that he would take a couple of extra days.\u00a0 He has done that before.\u00a0 Sometimes I think he wants me to worry.\u00a0 He gets some kind of pleasure in it.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied, both anger and hurt in his tone of voice.<\/p>\n \u201cI think something has happened to him.\u00a0 With Adam still in St. Louis, I think I should go on and try to find him.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben approached the huge man before him.\u00a0\u00a0 The middle child with the strength of ten men but a heart so easily broken that was Hoss.\u00a0 He could not change his nature, no more than he could change the nature of the disobedient youngest son.<\/p>\n Putting his arm around Hoss\u2019 shoulder, Ben\u2019s voice took on a gentler<\/p>\n characteristic.\u00a0 \u201cGive him one more day.\u00a0 I half expect him to come through that door any moment.\u00a0 If he\u2019s not back by tomorrow night, well, then I give you my permission to be worried.\u00a0 And then we will start looking for him.\u00a0 I\u2019ll personally find that wayward boy of mine and drag him back here by his ears!\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 face lit up and he grinned at the thought of his father dragging his little brother back home.\u00a0 Hoss nodded, giving up just for the evening.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to bed. Looks to me like you could use some sleep too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be up in a little while.\u00a0 Goodnight.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss looked into his father\u2019s chestnut eyes and could still read the worry in them.<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight, Son.\u00a0 And thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor what?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked bewildered.<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014for a lot of things.\u00a0 Mostly for being the \u201cgood\u201d son, I wish some of that would rub off on that little brother of yours!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow, Pa\u2014you know he\u2019s ornery as a caged tiger, but that\u2019s just Joe.\u00a0 He\u2019s a good son too.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss argued the point, always being the staunchest supporter of the green-eyed boy.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe.\u00a0 But, I should have kept that tiger caged it looks like.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be back tomorrow, and he\u2019s gonna get one hell of a talking to.\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled and headed up the stairs.<\/p>\n Ben sat down on the bottom of Joe\u2019s bed and sighed.\u00a0 He wished he could be angry at all that Joe was putting both of the other members of the family through.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t.\u00a0 Ben would even give up on the stern lecture he had promised to give his son if he would just come back safely.\u00a0 Ben stared over at the night stand and could see the picture of Joe\u2019s mother.\u00a0 It almost seemed as though Marie was looking right at him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s your son.\u201d\u00a0 Ben spoke as though the woman was right there next to him.\u00a0 \u201cAs wild and as irresistible as you, Marie.\u00a0 I can just see him now, walking in here as though he had done nothing wrong.\u00a0 Joseph will turn that smile on me and set off that string of laughter and I will be putty in his hands.\u00a0 He knows it too, and sure takes advantage of it!\u00a0 I wish you were still here, Darling.\u00a0 I am sure with a Mother\u2019s touch he might just calm down a bit.\u00a0 But, then maybe not, you never did.\u00a0 It was one of the reasons I loved you too.\u201d\u00a0 Ben stood and opened the door.\u00a0 Shooting over one final glance toward the empty bed, his heart grew heavy.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s time to come home, Joseph.\u201d\u00a0 He whispered and closed the door.<\/p>\n Doctor Green tied his carriage to his front hitching post and looked over at his patient. He could sense that Bill was a bit apprehensive in meeting the doctor\u2019s family.\u00a0 Hiram patted Bill on the shoulder and smiled over at the young man.<\/p>\n \u201cRest assured that no-one inside bites.\u201d\u00a0 The doctor laughed and Bill loosened his facial expression somewhat.<\/p>\n \u201cI just don\u2019t know what to say\u2014I mean if the conversation turns to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBill, I have already told everyone in my family what happened to you, you have nothing to worry about. Now let\u2019s get inside before Linda gets mad.\u00a0 Believe me you wouldn\u2019t want to keep that woman waiting!\u201d<\/p>\n Vince was first to the door and smiled warmly at their guest.\u00a0 He immediately thrust out his hand and introduced himself.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Vince, glad to meet you Bill!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014glad to meet you too! I think you have been the benefactor of all the clothes I have been wearing.\u00a0 Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n Hiram, Vince and Bill walked over to the large formal dining room.\u00a0 Bill took in the elegant dining table and the fine china that had been laid out.\u00a0 Surveying the room and the people who stood around the table, Bill finally felt at ease.\u00a0 The house was full of warmth and smiling faces.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Bill.\u201d\u00a0 Came a woman\u2019s soft voice from around the kitchen.\u00a0 In walked Linda Green.\u00a0 She was a stunning woman in her early forties.\u00a0 Her long blonde hair was pushed softly to the top of her head and ringlets of curls fell loosely around her face.\u00a0 Bill smiled over at her and was the first one to pull out her chair for her to sit down next to Hiram.<\/p>\n \u201cVery pleased to meet you.\u201d\u00a0 Bill answered and then took the seat offered him. Looking to his left he saw what he believed to be a much younger version of Linda Green. It was her daughter Elizabeth.\u00a0 Seated next to her was her fianc\u00e9 Keith, who Bill had met the previous day.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is our daughter Elizabeth.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram announced and Bill nodded toward the young lady.<\/p>\n \u201cNice to meet you, Bill.\u00a0 Oh\u2014and you have already met Keith right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, m\u2019am\u2014nice to meet you Elizabeth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI sure hope you are hungry, Bill.\u00a0 Ma\u2019s been cooking all day.\u201d\u00a0 Vince grinned at the feast that was before them all.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to admit I am kinda hungry.\u201d\u00a0 Bill answered and the family started passing the platters around the table.<\/p>\n Dinner was pleasant and the conversations were purposely geared to stay away from the subject of Bill\u2019s accident and memory loss.\u00a0 Bill felt right at home with the Green family, and after dinner he and Vince went outside to look after the livestock and to pick out a horse that Bill could use.<\/p>\n \u201cThose are some fine horses, Vince.\u00a0 Any one of them would be fine for me.\u00a0 Your father said I could start working with you tomorrow.\u00a0 I\u2019m looking forward to it.\u00a0 I want to start to pay your family back for all that you have done for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I will be glad to have you with me, Bill.\u00a0 I can sure use the help.\u00a0 There\u2019s a half of a mile of fencing that needs repair and I wasn\u2019t keen on having to do that myself.\u201d\u00a0 Vince pointed over to the porch and the two young men sat down.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are lucky to have such a nice family, Vince.\u201d\u00a0 Bill commented, thinking of his own lack of any kinship.<\/p>\n \u201cBill\u2014you mind if I talk about what happened to you?\u00a0 I know my father said we shouldn\u2019t bring it up\u2014but since we are gonna be working together and all\u2014well I thought you could confide in me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess I don\u2019t mind talking to you about it.\u00a0 For some reason I feel like I\u2019ve known you before\u2014or somebody like you.\u00a0 You are easy going and I can tell you don\u2019t just want to gossip\u2014like some folks would.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, folks do say I am kinda mild-mannered.\u00a0 Guess I am, never been one for fighting and all that nonsense.\u00a0 I just was thinking about the guy who did this to you.\u00a0 It bothers me that he would leave you for dead.\u00a0 I guess I have been worried about whether he stuck around to see if you were.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014that thought has bothered me, too.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t got no idea what the guy looked like\u2014so he would have one heck of an advantage over me at this point.\u201d\u00a0 Bill frowned at the thought of how vulnerable he now was.<\/p>\n Vince reached over and patted Bill on the arm to show his friendship. \u201cWell, you aren\u2019t really alone now.\u00a0 You have got my whole family on your side.\u00a0 We\u2019re a tight knit bunch and we don\u2019t let anything happen to our friends.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBelieve me, knowing that has really helped.\u00a0 Guess I need to go in and thank your folks and then get back to my place.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll ride along with you.\u00a0 And I\u2019ll come out in the morning to lead you over to where we will be working.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks.\u201d\u00a0 Bill stood and shook Vince\u2019s hand again.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s good to have friends.\u201d<\/p>\n Once Bill had left the Green\u2019s house accompanied by Vince, Elizabeth and Keith sat out front on the porch swing and talked privately.<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2014what do you think of Bill?\u00a0 You have been awfully quiet all evening.\u201d\u00a0 The young woman started.<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014he\u2019s okay I guess.\u00a0 Your father thinks so at least.\u00a0 I have just had my mind on a whole lot of things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014like what?\u201d\u00a0 She smiled and leaned closer and kissed Keith\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cI have gotten the backers I needed to open our shop in town.\u00a0 So, I figured that we need to set a wedding date.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was fast!\u00a0 How did you get the funds so quickly?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was the purpose of my trip you remember?\u00a0 Anyway, they have given me the money to start the mercantile.\u00a0 I figured it would be up and running by the end of the month.\u00a0 So, what do you say we get married right after the store opens?\u201d\u00a0 Keith asked excitedly staring into Beth\u2019s soft blue eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we have to tell my parents.\u00a0 If they are okay with it then you know I am!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s do it now!\u201d\u00a0 He announced springing to his feet.<\/p>\n Elizabeth laughed at her fianc\u00e9\u2019s enthusiasm.\u00a0 She stood and reached for his hand and led him to the front door to spring their news on her parents.<\/p>\n Ben Cartwright stood at his large desk in his study and looked over several telegraphs that he had received.\u00a0 His son, Joseph, was now three weeks late in getting home after his sale of horses and the father was distraught.\u00a0 Along with his son, Hoss, Ben had journeyed to Salt Flats where Joe had completed his transaction and had received the five thousand dollars in payment.\u00a0 Backtracking had brought no new clues as to the young man\u2019s whereabouts.\u00a0 The next course of action had been to send numerous telegraphs to surrounding areas with a complete description of Joseph Cartwright.\u00a0 No positive telegraphs had come in.<\/p>\n \u201cHey\u2014Pa!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss called as he came in the front door.\u00a0 He rounded the corner and faced his father.\u00a0 \u201cI just sent another twenty telegraphs out.\u00a0 I also talked with Roy.\u00a0 He said there have been no reported killings anywhere close to where Joe was last seen.\u00a0 So, at least that is good news.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sank down wearily in his leather chair and folded his hands to rest his forehead on them.\u00a0 \u201cNo-one has seen Joe\u2014or Cochise.\u00a0 It\u2019s like he totally disappeared.\u201d\u00a0 He said exasperated.<\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, Pa\u2014maybe the latest ones we sent will give us some news.\u00a0 I told Cleve that I would stop by later tonight.\u00a0 Let\u2019s you and me go into town and have some dinner and then go and see if anything has come in?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben simply nodded.\u00a0 Food had become and afterthought of late.\u00a0 And he could see that even Hoss had lost weight in his worry over his little brother.\u00a0 Ben sent off a silent prayer that somehow they would get some news about Joe.<\/p>\n Bill had grown very fond of Vince Green.\u00a0 The two young men worked together as a team well.\u00a0 They had spent two weeks repairing fence line on the Green ranch and were now busying themselves with a string of horses that needed to be broken to saddle.\u00a0 Vince sat on the corral and watched in awe at Bill\u2019s easiness up in the saddle.\u00a0 He had broken more horses than anyone and seemed to enjoy the challenge of it immensely.\u00a0 When Bill had finished with the last horse of the day he strode triumphantly over to Vince smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cWhew\u2014that was the toughest nag yet!\u201d\u00a0 Bill laughed and dusted off his chaps.<\/p>\n \u201cI tell you, Bill, no matter who you were before\u2014you obviously were a top hand somewhere.\u00a0 I never seen such gentling of a horse! You are amazing!\u201d\u00a0 Vince hopped down from his perch and slapped Bill\u2019s back.<\/p>\n \u201cHey\u2014works done\u2014what say we go into town for a couple of beers?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh\u2014another thing I like about you!\u201d\u00a0 Vince grinned.\u00a0 \u201cOkay by me\u2014but I buy the first round\u2014as you have made my job around here so much easier these past three weeks.\u00a0 My pa is sure happy, and when he\u2019s happy\u2014the whole ranch is happy!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, at least I am starting to get caught up with some of the debt I owe.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go get that beer!\u201d\u00a0 Bill followed Vince over to their horses and they made their way to town.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you should see this first.\u201d\u00a0 Sheriff Ben Creighton said handing Hiram a telegraph.\u00a0 \u201cIt just come in from over Virginia City way.\u201d<\/p>\n Hiram pulled his eyeglasses out of his pocket and put them on.\u00a0 He read the telegraph and then looked up at the sheriff.\u00a0 \u201cIt sure does sound like Bill, that\u2019s for sure.\u00a0 I bet that family has been frantic looking for him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou want me to write for them to come fetch him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, let me do it.\u00a0 I want them to see me before they go and see if Bill is in fact Joe Cartwright.\u00a0 They will need to handle this delicately if he is.\u00a0 It will take a bit of explaining on my part.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram nodded and tucked the telegraph inside his coat.<\/p>\n \u201cYou gonna mention this to Bill?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014not to anyone right now.\u00a0 Let me get the Cartwrights here and then we will handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Doc, whatever you think is best.\u00a0 Go ahead and write your response and I will take it over to the telegraphers.\u201d\u00a0 The sheriff said and sat down to wait for the message.\u00a0 Hiram drew out a piece of paper and tried his best to relate what he knew to the family.<\/p>\n Ben strode briskly into the ranch house with the telegraph still clutched in his trembling hands.\u00a0 He saw Hoss coming down the staircase and called over to him.<\/p>\n \u201cWe finally have something!\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss reached the bottom landing and his father handed him over the telegraph.\u00a0 Taking only a moment\u2019s time to read it, Hoss looked up with confusion written on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cMiller\u2019s Crossing?\u00a0 I never even heard of the place!\u00a0 And why does this doctor fellow insist we come to see him before going to see Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook his head and shrugged his shoulder helplessly.\u00a0 \u201cHe says Joe suffered some kind of head injury\u2014but yet he says he is all right.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t got a clue.\u00a0 All I know is that Joseph is out there and he needs us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the directions it sounds like it\u2019s about a four day ride.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss remarked concerned.<\/p>\n \u201cThree\u2014if we leave right now!\u00a0 I have already had Hank start to get our gear together.\u00a0 I am going upstairs to get a few things.\u00a0 You go and do the same and we will leave.\u201d\u00a0 Ben insisted and he started up the stairs followed closely behind by his son.\u00a0 There were still so many questions to be answered, and a long journey ahead of them both.\u00a0 None of that mattered at present, the only thing that concerned both men was the fact that Joe was alive.<\/p>\n Hiram had kept his secret to himself for days.\u00a0 Every time he looked at Bill his heart raced with the thought that the boy might be meeting his family any day.\u00a0 As a doctor, Hiram knew that keeping it from his patient for the time being was the best for him, but as someone who had grown fond of the lad, it was a difficult thing to do.\u00a0 The night before the Cartwright family made it into town, Hiram had made it a point to stop by Bill\u2019s place to check on him.\u00a0 He wanted to test his emotional waters a bit.<\/p>\n Bill was surprised to see the doctor, but glad to have the company.\u00a0 He led the man into the cabin and they both sat down at the small table in the main room.\u00a0 Bill offered coffee to the doctor, which he accepted gratefully.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, what brings you out here, Doc?\u201d\u00a0 Bill asked as he leaned back in his chair and sipped his drink.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, hadn\u2019t got a chance to talk to you alone lately.\u00a0 Seems like every time I see you that you are with Vince.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYour son has turned in to a great friend.\u00a0 We make a good team if I do say so myself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, there\u2019s no doubt about it\u2014you two together are unbeatable.\u00a0 I know Vince has grown very fond of you as well.\u00a0 With his sister about to get married, I think he is a little lonely\u2014feels kinda left out.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I am so glad that the two of you struck it off so well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014\u201d Bill paused and looked past the doctor\u2019s warm smile and read concern in his eyes. \u201cThere\u2019s something else isn\u2019t there?\u00a0 What\u2019s on your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n Hiram laughed at Bill\u2019s question, knowing that he was never good at hiding facts.\u00a0 \u201cI just wanted to see how you were feeling that\u2019s all.\u00a0 Have the headaches gone away completely yet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI still get them\u2014but fewer.\u00a0 I still have some nightmares\u2014but they don\u2019t tell me anything if that\u2019s what you are getting at.\u201d\u00a0 Bill replied with frustration lining his words.<\/p>\n \u201cThen, you still have had nothing in the way of a memory yet?\u201d<\/p>\n Bill shook his head and sighed deeply.\u00a0 He felt in his heart that his past would always remain a secret.\u00a0 \u201cNo\u2014nothing, Doc.\u00a0 I guess it will never happen.\u00a0 Been more than a month already.\u201d<\/p>\n Hiram reached over and patted Bill\u2019s shoulder in a show of sympathy.\u00a0 \u201cNow don\u2019t say that.\u00a0 I am sure that eventually it will all come flooding back.\u00a0 Now don\u2019t you dare start giving up on the idea\u2014you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014if you say so.\u201d\u00a0 Bill nodded and broke into a brief smile.<\/p>\n Hiram stood to leave.\u00a0 \u201cI have to be going\u2014I\u2019ll see you later.\u201d<\/p>\n Bill walked the doctor to the door and said, \u201cThanks for coming by\u2014and thanks for caring about me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAgain with the thanks?\u201d\u00a0 Hiram laughed and shook his head with feigned anger.<\/p>\n \u201cNo thanks needed.\u201d\u00a0 And with that the doctor clapped Bill on the back and headed outside to his carriage.\u00a0 His thoughts were on how the young man would react once the Cartwright family made their appearance.<\/p>\n Ben and Hoss tied their mounts up in front of the doctor\u2019s office.\u00a0 Stepping onto the porch they both breathed deeply preparing themselves emotionally for what might come next.\u00a0 Three days on the trail had lent themselves to worry about the condition they would eventually find Joe to be in.\u00a0 Ben pulled open the office door and the bell jingled to announce their presence.<\/p>\n Hiram walked in from the back room, his hands filled with medical supplies.\u00a0 Looking up at the two men he knew in an instant that they were Bill\u2019s family.\u00a0 He could see the intensity on their worry creased faces and could also see the love behind the questioning eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Ben Cartwright\u2014this is my son, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 Ben began and held out his hand to the doctor.<\/p>\n Hiram put the supplies on the shelf and accepted both Ben and Hoss\u2019 gesture.\u00a0 \u201cHiram Green, nice to meet you both.\u00a0 Lets sit down\u2014I know you have been on the road awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n The three men took seats and Ben was quick to cut right in on his questioning.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph\u2014here is a picture of Joseph\u2014\u201d Ben stammered and withdrew a photograph he had brought along with him.\u00a0 He handed it over to the doctor and saw Hiram nod after checking it out.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s Bill all right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBill?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss and Ben asked in unison.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2014let me explain.\u00a0 I\u2019ll tell you all I know and then you can ask me anything.\u201d<\/p>\n Hiram saw the two men before him try their best to ease back into their chairs to hear his explanation though he could sense the urgency they both felt.<\/p>\n \u201cYour Joe was bushwhacked and left for dead not far from town. Some folks found the lad and brought him to me.\u00a0 He suffered a very bad blow to the back of his head\u2014very bad indeed.\u00a0 He was out for days\u2014for awhile I wasn\u2019t at all sure he would survive.\u00a0 He does however have a very strong will to live.\u00a0 And also a very hard head!\u00a0 When he came around we learned that he had lost all of his memory due to both the physical and mental trauma he suffered.\u00a0 That is why he took on the name Bill\u2014Bill Carson in fact.\u00a0 He remembers nothing\u2014not even the assault.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAmnesia?\u201d Ben asked, his voice showing strain in its tone.<\/p>\n \u201cExactly.\u00a0 He has also suffered from some pretty severe headaches\u2014but they seem to be waning a bit.\u00a0 I set him up in a little cabin on my ranch.\u00a0 He only had the clothes on his back when we found him\u2014no wallet\u2014nothing to identify him.\u00a0 He has been working with my son on our place and seems to be doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen can we see him?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss now showed his impatience with the whole event.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is why I needed to see the both of you.\u00a0 I think we need to break this in slowly to the boy.\u00a0 He may not remember you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u00a0 Surely once he sees us\u2014\u201dBen trailed off.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright\u2014I don\u2019t think it is advisable to just ride up to Bill\u2014I mean Joe\u2014sorry\u2014and say hi\u2014we are your family!\u00a0 It may cause more trauma.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you suggesting then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have given it a great deal of thought.\u00a0 Let\u2019s ease on into this.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see if Joe will remember on his own.\u00a0 I thought the two of you could go and stay with him for a few days.\u00a0 It might be something that happens right away\u2014that he remembers\u2014or it may take time.\u00a0 That way you will be around him in case he does remember.\u00a0 You can gauge how he is and yet he will not be the wiser for it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if I can do this, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss whispered shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cPretend that he ain\u2019t my little brother?\u00a0 I don\u2019t think I am that good of an actor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will do whatever is best for Joseph.\u201d\u00a0 Ben insisted, fighting back his own doubts.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you two could tell him that I sent you\u2014that you are only going to be around for a week or so and wanted to stay somewhere instead of the hotel.\u00a0 Once he hears I said it, he will welcome you I am sure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean you aren\u2019t coming along?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked confused.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that you two riding up by yourselves may have an affect on him\u2014maybe a good affect.\u00a0 Let\u2019s just see how it goes, okay?\u00a0 You can both follow me to my carriage and I will take you out there\u2014but leave right before we get to the cabin.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram said and grabbed his hat and coat.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to thank you for all that you have done for Joseph.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied also standing now.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are the thank you-est bunch of folks I ever met!\u201d\u00a0 Hiram laughed and led the way for the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n From a short distance from the cabin, Hiram and the two Cartwrights could see Joe outside on the front porch stacking firewood.\u00a0 He could not see them from where he was, which was the doctor\u2019s idea.<\/p>\n \u201cThere you go!\u00a0 Now\u2014you just come and get me if you have any problems or if anything goes wrong with Bill\u2014I mean Joe.\u00a0\u00a0 Darn, it\u2019s hard to get use to his real name! I will come out for a visit tomorrow to check on the progress.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cIs it okay to tell him our real names?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI see nothing wrong with that\u2014but remember\u2014call him Bill for right now.\u00a0 Unless he remembers you right off.\u00a0 See you both tomorrow.\u00a0 Good luck!\u201d\u00a0 Hiram smiled and turned his carriage back towards town.<\/p>\n Bill mopped his perspiring brow as he reached for the last of the wood he had been stacking by the front door.\u00a0 It was then he could hear riders approaching.\u00a0 Reaching inside the door, he pulled out his shotgun and turned toward the two men coming into sight.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s far enough!\u201d\u00a0 Bill shouted aiming the gun.<\/p>\n \u201cWait there young fellow!\u201d\u00a0 Ben called, resisting the urge to call the boy by name and run and take him into his arms.\u00a0 \u201cWe come in peace!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI never seen either of you before in town\u2014what are you doing out here?\u201d\u00a0 Bill was suspicious, he never let his guard down.\u00a0 He knew there was someone out there who had wanted him dead before, and was never sure who it was and would not take chances.<\/p>\n \u201cMy name is Ben Cartwright\u2014this is my son, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied and held out hope that the name would register in his son\u2019s brain.<\/p>\n \u201cCartwright?\u201d\u00a0 Bill asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss replied hopefully.<\/p>\n \u201cNever heard of you.\u00a0 So what are you doing out here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHiram sent us\u2014he\u2019s an old friend.\u00a0 He said we could stay here with you for a few days\u2014that is if it is okay with you?\u201d<\/p>\n Bill frowned but there was something in the white-haired man\u2019s eyes that was soft and comforting.\u00a0 There was something in the smile of the big man on the huge black horse that seemed the same way.\u00a0 Finally putting down his rifle he signaled for the two men to dismount.<\/p>\n \u201cMy name is Bill\u2014Bill Carson.\u201d\u00a0 Bill announced and reached out to shake the two stranger\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n \u201cNice to meet you\u2014Bill.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss nodded still biting his tongue.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014very nice to meet you.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said also and felt the warmth of his son\u2019s palm for the first time in more than a month.\u00a0 Joseph looked the same, having not been treated badly or showing any signs of physical hurt.\u00a0 But, the recognition was not there.\u00a0 Ben had held out hope that Joe would know instantly that he was amongst family.\u00a0 Ben had to swallow hard to keep the name Joseph from coming out.<\/p>\n \u201cThe cabin ain\u2019t much.\u00a0 How come you don\u2019t want to stay at the hotel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy son Hoss here just detests hotels.\u00a0 And since we are waiting to see my other son, thought we would take Hiram up on the offer to stay here.\u00a0 Now don\u2019t worry about it, we don\u2019t have many needs.\u00a0 Just a place on the floor and a place to stable the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014Hoss was it?\u201d\u00a0 Bill asked and his brother nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI guess you and I can see to the horses.\u00a0 I got me a corral built\u2014you and I can go feed and water them while your father gets settled.\u00a0 Looks like the two of you have had a long ride.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said, and still resisted the pat to the shoulder.<\/p>\n Hoss and his brother took the horses around back and got them bedded down for the night and brought all the saddlebags and bedrolls into the cabin.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me guess\u2014\u201d Bill said as he and Hoss entered the main room.\u00a0 \u201cThey call you Hoss cause you are so big, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014kinda a nickname I reckon.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss smiled at how at ease Bill was starting to be around him.<\/p>\n \u2018Well, you both can have the room in the back.\u00a0 There\u2019s two bunks in there.\u00a0 I\u2019ll sleep out here by the fire tonight.\u201d\u00a0 Bill said and turned toward the stove where his pot of stew was starting to boil.\u00a0 He stirred the food and looked back towards the Cartwrights.\u00a0 \u201cI am no chef\u2014but you are welcome to the stew I made.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat stew sounds mighty good right now and we would be glad to sleep out here, Bill.\u00a0 Hate to put you out of your own bed.\u201d Ben chimed in.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014it\u2019s okay.\u00a0 I\u2019d rather sleep out here.\u00a0 Now you two want to eat or not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t never turned down a meal so far, and don\u2019t think I will now!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014somehow I figured that.\u201d\u00a0 Bill smiled and set out the bowls.<\/p>\n As the three men sat and ate their meal, Bill couldn\u2019t help but notice a glance here and there shot his way by both of the other men.\u00a0 In one way it made him uneasy, in another way it made him feel good.\u00a0 He had started to get the opinion of the Cartwrights that they were good people.\u00a0 They seemed like a loving father and son.\u00a0 Bill wished he had that kind of family and it showed on his face now and then.<\/p>\n \u201cSo how long you folks staying?\u201d\u00a0 Bill asked between bites of stew.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are waiting for my youngest son to arrive in town.\u00a0 Actually he is a little late in arriving already.\u00a0 But, he should be here by the end of the week.\u201d\u00a0 Ben answered and watched Bill\u2019s eyes to detect anything familiar.<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014what\u2019s his name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph\u2014\u201d Ben let out a little too quickly, hoping that just the way he had said it would spur on some latent memory locked in his son\u2019s head.<\/p>\n Bill clutched his head in pain and dropped his head down on the table.\u00a0 The headache was back, and this time had come on suddenly and with great pain.\u00a0 Ben jumped to his feet and walked over to the boy.\u00a0 He dropped his hand down on his shoulder, still trying his best to not reveal his identity.\u00a0 \u201cBill\u2014are you okay?\u201d\u00a0 He asked and Bill just shook his head back and forth in reply.\u00a0 \u201cCan we get you anything?\u201d\u00a0 Ben continued.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014just leave me be.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be gone in a minute.\u201d\u00a0 Bill whispered still showing the severity of pain on his face.<\/p>\n Ben and Hoss glanced at each other and fought to control their normal instincts to take over the situation.\u00a0 After close to ten minutes the headache subsided and Bill lifted his head off of his arms and sat back in the chair.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn\u2014that was the worst one ever.\u201d\u00a0 Bill admitted and reached for his coffee cup.\u00a0 He looked across at the other men and could see the strangest expressions on their faces.\u00a0 They wore the look of pure concern\u2014almost a deep caring that went beyond mere friendship.\u00a0 \u201cHey\u2014sorry I scared you two.\u00a0 These things come and go.\u00a0 I guess the doctor filled you in on me, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014yes he told us.\u00a0 You want to talk about it?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked calmly.<\/p>\n \u201cNot nothing to talk about.\u00a0 I just have no memories is all.\u00a0 Guess I\u2019ll just have to live with it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, what about family?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss broke in and saw Ben give him a warning look. \u201cI mean\u2014well you think you have family somewhere out there looking for you?\u201d<\/p>\n Bill shook his head wearily.\u00a0 \u201cI figured that at first\u2014but when no-one showed up I guessed that there wasn\u2019t anyone who missed me.\u00a0 Guess I haven\u2019t got any family or they would\u2019ve come by now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe they just don\u2019t know where to find you, Bill.\u201d\u00a0 Ben broke in, trying to stop Hoss from telling the boy the truth.\u00a0 He could read it on his middle son\u2019s face that he was about to call the boy Little Joe and the show would be over.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ll go check on the horses one last time.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss said knowing that he had to leave to prevent what he wanted to do.\u00a0 Bill watched him leave and then turned back towards Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cHe seems nice\u2014you both do.\u00a0 You look like the kind of family that really sticks together.\u00a0 I just guess I was an orphan or something\u2014have no kin out there.\u201d\u00a0 Bill sat back and broke into a smile, his hazel eyes suddenly twinkling.\u00a0 \u2018Unless I was a rotten son and my father just decided not to find me anyway.\u00a0 Yeah\u2014I could see that.\u201d\u00a0 Bill laughed at the thought.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t quite see that in you, Bill.\u00a0 Trust me\u2014as a father\u2014I bet you right now your kin are out there somewhere worried about you and trying to bring you back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014well maybe\u2014but they sure are taking their time about it!\u201d\u00a0 Joe stood and started to remove the dinner plates. Ben was quick to assist his son and walked over to the counter with him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got it fine\u2014you go on and sit down, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 Bill said and poured water into the small sink.<\/p>\n Ben stood there still unable to take his eyes off of his youngest son.\u00a0 This whole charade was getting harder by the minute.\u00a0 He wanted so much to tell the boy that his family was indeed worried about him and would move heaven and earth to bring him back home.\u00a0 The terrible thought was dawning on the troubled father that even bringing his son home might not bring him back in mind and recognition of who he really was.<\/p>\n Ben and Hoss retired shortly after dinner was done.\u00a0 Joe had insisted on spreading his bedroll on the floor in front of the pot-bellied stove relinquishing the two bunks for the other two men.\u00a0 Reluctantly, Hoss and his father settled into the other room and were soon fast asleep, the emotions of the day taking over quickly.<\/p>\n One particular similarity existed between both Bill and his hidden former self; nightmares.\u00a0 It had started off slowly, with tossing and turning and mumbling terrified protests to himself.\u00a0 That escalated to loud violent screams and it instantly made Ben jump up in his bunk.\u00a0 Even the deep slumbering Hoss had heard his brother\u2019s panic-filled shouts into the darkness. Ben signaled his middle son that he would handle it and hurriedly walked toward the door to their room and out into the main room of the cabin.<\/p>\n Ben wondered as he kneeled down alongside the thrashing figure on the floor how he would pull this one off without revealing the many times he had brought Joe out of nightmares in his youth.\u00a0 He knew he would have to be careful not to use the exact same measures as he had in the past.\u00a0 He could not grab the young man up in his arms and soothe him as a father.\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, this would be the toughest part of the charade so far.<\/p>\n \u201cBill\u2014Bill you are having a nightmare\u2014\u201d Ben whispered and simply reached for the boy\u2019s right arm.\u00a0 When the thrashing and calling out continued, Ben shook the arm a little hoping to rouse his son without scaring him.<\/p>\n Joe bolted up from the floor.\u00a0 From the dim light of the stove, Ben could read the panic on the face of his son.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 Joe screamed and then suddenly became aware of the man at his side.\u00a0 After he caught his breath and his heart started to beat a little less rapidly, Joe sat upright, embarrassment spreading across his face.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright\u2014I\u2019m sorry\u2014sorry I woke you.\u201d\u00a0 He apologized.<\/p>\n Ben sat down on the floor opposite his son and gave a patient smile.\u00a0 \u201cNo apology needed, Bill.\u00a0 And you might as well call me Ben.\u201d\u00a0 He replied and removed his hand from Joe\u2019s arm, because he had to.<\/p>\n \u201cBen\u2014well\u2014I am sorry.\u00a0 I am afraid this happens quite a bit here lately.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave you told the doctor about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNaw\u2014seemed like a stupid thing to mention.\u201d\u00a0 Joe explained and dropped his head down a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know I have had some experiences with nightmares in the past.\u00a0 In fact, that son I told you I have been waiting for?\u00a0 He has them all the time.\u00a0 I usually tell him it\u2019s best to talk about them, and sometimes it makes them go away.\u201d\u00a0 Ben spoke in a gentle whisper and could see that Joe was starting to feel more at ease around him.\u00a0 To the worried father, that was one small accomplishment for the day.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing I dream makes any sense.\u00a0 It\u2019s just a bunch of jumbled up pictures that come and go so quickly I can\u2019t even remember exactly what they are.\u00a0 All I know is that they terrify me.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied sullenly shaking his head discouraged.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing?\u00a0 You can\u2019t remember anything?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked again.<\/p>\n \u201cUh uh\u2014it might be about the person who shot me\u2014for all I know.\u00a0 I guess that is what bothers me most.\u00a0 The not knowing of who wants me dead\u2014who would leave me out in the woods to die.\u00a0 Whoever it was took away all my past\u2014so I guess in a way\u2014whoever I was is dead.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben reached for Joe\u2019s shoulder and touched it with his hand briefly and withdrew it just as fast.\u00a0 \u201cDoc said you still have a good chance of getting your memory back, Bill.\u00a0 Whoever you were is still in there\u2014and he\u2019s probably trying to get out.\u00a0 It\u2019s probably why your nightmares are so vivid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe\u2014\u201d Joe nodded and then looked up into the man\u2019s soft brown eyes.\u00a0 He was surprised at the amount of compassion he found to be in them.\u00a0 He wondered why the man would care so much\u2014he was all but a stranger to him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m okay now\u2014really.\u00a0 You go on back to bed.\u00a0 I think I\u2019ll just sit here till I fall back to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded.\u00a0 He would have stayed right there alongside his son, as in the past, letting the boy\u2019s head rest on his own strong shoulder until sleep overtook him.\u00a0 But, he couldn\u2019t this night.\u00a0 Ben stood and turned back for his room.\u00a0 \u201cGoodnight\u2014Bill.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said before closing his door.<\/p>\n Ben sat up stiffly in his bunk the next morning. He shot a quick glance over at Hoss, who he could see was already up and sitting with a perplexed look on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cHow long you been up?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked as he pulled on his boots.<\/p>\n \u201cAwhile\u2014just sitting here thinking.\u201d Hoss replied, still with a far away look in his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cA bit tougher than we thought\u2014isn\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked knowing what the tender hearted son of his was pondering.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t we just go in there and tell Joe who he is and take him back home? Once he is there\u2014I\u2019m sure we can get him to remember!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss\u2014the doctor wants us to take this slowly.\u00a0 It\u2019s only been a day\u2014let\u2019s give it a little longer and see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat nightmare was something fierce wasn\u2019t it?\u00a0 I don\u2019t remember Joe ever yelling quite that bad in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stood and shrugged his shoulders helplessly.\u00a0 \u201cIt was bad all right\u2014and even worse\u2014I couldn\u2019t really help him.\u00a0 I am after all a stranger.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss walked over to his father and put his arm around his shoulder for support.\u00a0 \u201cNever a stranger\u2014somehow\u2014some way\u2014Joe will realize it, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you ready for another go of it?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked forcing a smile.<\/p>\n Hoss nodded and the two of them walked into the other room.<\/p>\n Joe had already been up for awhile.\u00a0 He had restoked the stove and made a quick breakfast of ham and biscuits and was just putting it on the table when his guests appeared.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not much\u2014reckon I need to get some more supplies today.\u201d\u00a0 Joe mentioned and passed the coffee pot over to Ben. \u201cWe are going into town today\u2014to see if my son has found his way back.\u00a0 You don\u2019t worry about any supplies\u2014it\u2019s the least we can do.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said taking a seat at the table next to Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got to be heading out.\u00a0 I have some horses to break over at Doc\u2019s today.\u00a0 I won\u2019t be back until dark I guess.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and set down his coffee cup and grabbed his coat.<\/p>\n \u201cBill\u2014\u201d Hoss started as he looked over at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cYou aren\u2019t wearing a gun.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you think you should have one?\u00a0 I mean\u2014with all that happened.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPayday is the end of the week\u2014I\u2019ll be going out to get one then.\u00a0 Seems like whoever left me out in that woods helped himself to all I had\u2014including my horse and my gun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs it safe going around like that?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked, trying his best not to sound like the worried father that he was.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going that far\u2014\u201d Bill replied and opened the door.\u00a0 He turned back around and smiled at the two men.\u00a0 \u201cSee you both later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSee you, Bill.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss nodded and watched his brother leave.<\/p>\n Hiram saw several patients in his office that morning, and just as he readied to leave to check on the Cartwrights, the two oldest members appeared coming in his front door.<\/p>\n \u201cBen\u2014Hoss\u2014well how did it go?\u201d\u00a0 Hiram asked as they walked in taking seats opposite him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t recognize us.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss said chock full of disappointment.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry to hear that.\u00a0 How is he doing today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe had a pretty bad headache last night\u2014and one heck of a nightmare later on.\u00a0 He said he\u2019s been having a lot of them.\u00a0 Today he seemed fine when he went off to work.\u201d\u00a0 Ben answered.<\/p>\n \u201cI imagine the headaches are due to the trauma to his head\u2014along with some memories that are fighting their way out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want us to do now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Hoss.\u00a0 I still think it\u2019s too soon to reveal who you are to your brother.\u00a0 Let\u2019s just see what happens the next couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t suppose there would be anything wrong with telling him all about our ranch\u2014do you?\u00a0 Maybe that will jog a memory loose?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked hopefully.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe.\u00a0 But, be careful.\u00a0 He\u2019s a bright young man\u2014he may just catch on to what you are trying to do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wish he would!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss sounded off, his impatience showing as he stood back up.<\/p>\n \u201cOne day at a time right now.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram warned and saw both of the other men nod reluctantly.\u00a0 \u201cLet me know if you need me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will\u2014thank you again, Hiram.\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled and shook the man\u2019s hand before leaving.<\/p>\n Joe smelled a wonderful aroma as he tied his horse up to the front hitching post at the cabin that evening.\u00a0 He followed the scent into the house and saw that his two guests had prepared a rather fancy meal for his return.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething sure smells awfully good!\u201d\u00a0 Joe smiled as he walked over to the stove.<\/p>\n \u201cMy pa is a pretty good cook believe it or not.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss smiled as he set the last dish on the table.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you wash up\u2014we have it all ready for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, whatever it is\u2014it will be a treat.\u00a0 I told you both I can\u2019t cook worth a darn.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and washed his hands off at the sink.\u00a0 He then joined the other two men at the table.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you mind if I said grace?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cFine by me.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and bowed his head.<\/p>\n \u201cDear Lord\u2014we thank thee for the gifts at this table and for the people who surround it.\u00a0 Please watch over the family represented here\u2014and help Bill find his family as well.\u00a0 Amen.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up, a bit touched by the words his guest had spoken.\u00a0 \u201cThis roast looks as good as the one Linda made two weeks ago!\u201d\u00a0 Joe said eagerly cutting in to the meat.<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u00a0 Who\u2019s Linda?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked as he took a bite of his supper.<\/p>\n Joe looked up perplexed at the question.\u00a0 He remembered both men telling him that they were old friends of Hiram\u2019s.\u00a0 If they were\u2014surely they would know his wife!\u00a0 Joe set down his fork and stared over at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you said you were an old friend of Hiram\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are.\u201d\u00a0 Ben answered, wondering why Joe was looking suspiciously at his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cThen why don\u2019t you know Hiram\u2019s wife\u2019s name?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked raising his eyebrows.<\/p>\n Ben looked over at Hoss and they exchanged confused glances, trying to come up with a good explanation for Hoss\u2019 obvious slip of the tongue.\u00a0 \u201cHoss is awful with names I am afraid. \u00a0Of course we know Linda Green.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, then what\u2019s their two son\u2019s names?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked and looked back over at the two.<\/p>\n \u201cThey only have one son and his name is Vince.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss countered.\u00a0 He remembered learning that much from Hiram when they had talked on their first visit.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd a daughter named Elizabeth\u2014now are you satisfied, Bill?\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled and Joe looked a little embarrassed at his questioning.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry\u2014didn\u2019t mean to sound suspicious\u2014but I told you I get jumpy sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s understandable.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss nodded and then reached over and pulled over a package that was leaned against the wall next to the table.\u00a0 \u201cTo show there ain\u2019t no hard feelings\u2014we bought you something.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss grinned and handed it over to his brother.\u00a0 He felt it might change the uneasiness in the room at the moment.<\/p>\n Joe set down his fork and accepted the gift.\u00a0 Opening the box he found a holster and a six-shooter.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t take this!\u201d\u00a0 He exclaimed, noting how expensive the gift was.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want you to have it.\u00a0 Just our way of saying thank you for allowing us to stay for a few days.\u201d\u00a0 Ben insisted.<\/p>\n Joe stood, excited at the present and strapped the weapon on.\u00a0 He adjusted it and then looked up suddenly.\u00a0 He looked from one man\u2019s face to the other and his eyebrows narrowed, confusion spreading over his whole demeanor.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Bill?\u201d Ben asked noticing the abrupt change in the young man\u2019s attitude.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you know that I was left handed?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben again sought out Hoss\u2019 eyes for an answer to that question and could tell Hoss was having trouble with the question as well.<\/p>\n \u201cI never told neither one of you I was left handed.\u201d\u00a0 Joe continued becoming more rigid in stature, his guard up once more.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a simple answer to that, Bill.\u201d\u00a0 Ben called out trying to sound at ease.<\/p>\n \u201cMy son\u2014the one I talked to you about last night?\u00a0 He is left handed\u2014and well watching you eat yesterday\u2014I just noticed that you were a southpaw too.\u00a0 It\u2019s easy to spot when you have one in your own family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014that brother of mine\u2014I always have to sit at the other side of him so he doesn\u2019t hit me every time he picks up his fork to eat.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss laughed, doing his best to carry on the save his father had served up. Joe looked over at both men and thoroughly observed their faces.\u00a0 He then had a strong urge to get into his hidden supply of whiskey in the cabinet by the door.\u00a0 Turning his back on them both, Joe reached for the bottle on the bottom shelf and uncorked it.<\/p>\n Ben stood up as Joe spun back around.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Bill?\u00a0 What\u2019s bothering you?\u2019<\/p>\n Joe took several long pulls on the whiskey and then looked up at the silver- haired man standing in front of him.\u00a0 He looked over at the huge man at the table.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s throat tightened, as he tried to get the words out that he wanted to say.\u00a0 Finally, with a deep tremble to them as they came forth, Joe replied, \u201cyour son\u2014your son is late returning from a trip\u2014\u201d He started and saw how Ben looked down at Hoss all too quickly and then back up.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014\u201d Ben answered, still not knowing what was happening in his son\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n \u201cYour son\u2014that same son who is late from returning from his trip\u2014is the same son that you said is prone to nightmares\u2014\u201d Joe trailed off again, and this time Ben only nodded his answer.\u00a0 He could see that Joe\u2019s eyes were going glassy on him, and it wasn\u2019t due to the alcohol but was caused by something he was feeling inside of himself.<\/p>\n \u201cYour son\u2014he hasn\u2019t returned\u2014and he has nightmares\u2014and he just happens to be left-handed\u2014\u201d Joe stopped once more and took another long drink from the whiskey bottle he clutched tightly in both hands.<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d\u00a0 Ben questioned and saw a tear leave Joe\u2019s right eye and drift down his cheek followed by another out of his other eye.<\/p>\n \u201cYour son is late returning\u2014he has nightmares\u2014is left-handed\u2014am I\u2014am I\u2014your son?\u2019\u00a0 Joe asked and deep down somewhere, not in his mind but in his heart he almost had his answer already.<\/p>\n Hoss stood next to his father waiting to hear his reply.\u00a0 Ben walked closer to Bill and reached out his right hand and put it to Bill\u2019s left cheek.\u00a0 \u201cYes, you are my son.\u201d\u00a0 Ben whispered choking up on the words.<\/p>\n Instead of falling into his father\u2019s arms, as was hoped for by both of his family members, Joe withdrew and moved up against the wall his mouth opened but nothing coming out right away.\u00a0 Ben gave him time to take in the information and kept his distance for the time being.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy!\u201d\u00a0 Joe shouted and raised his hand in gesture.\u00a0 \u201cWhy the big masquerade?\u00a0 Was this a sick game you\u2019ve been playing with me all this time!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014nothing like that\u2014\u201d Hoss tried to soothe his brother and to calm his nerves.\u00a0 \u201cThe doctor told us we shouldn\u2019t come out and just tell you\u2014he hoped somehow you might remember.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe weren\u2019t trying to hurt you\u2014really we weren\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Ben apologized quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know you!\u201d\u00a0 Joe yelled as the tears still fell uncontrollably from his eyes.\u00a0 He was now distraught over the fact he had not recognized his own family.\u00a0 He was so sure that someday he would run into someone from his past and his memories would all come flooding out.\u00a0 Now that hope was gone.\u00a0 He knew if he couldn\u2019t recognize his own father and brother he would never regain what he had lost.<\/p>\n \u201cGive it time, Joseph.\u201d\u00a0 Ben answered.<\/p>\n Joe grabbed his head and reeled in pain, a headache blasting his skull.\u00a0 Ben was quick to help him into a chair and Hoss gathered around him for support.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s gonna be all right\u2014I promise you.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss whispered as he squeezed his brother\u2019s shoulder for support.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I don\u2019t know you.\u201d\u00a0 Joe repeated but this time the words were spoken not in a shout but in a whisper filled with sadness.\u00a0 Ben pulled up the chair next to his youngest son and let his hand rest on the boy\u2019s arm, this time leaving it there and refusing to let go.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are Joseph Francis Cartwright.\u00a0 You are my third and youngest son.\u00a0 And you have been greatly missed by all of those who love you.\u201d\u00a0 Ben spoke calmly but firmly.\u00a0 \u201cThere is nothing that we wouldn\u2019t do for you\u2014nothing in this world.\u00a0 We came here to find you and take you home.\u00a0 It was harder than you will ever know for us to pretend we were strangers.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t do it to deceive you\u2014or play some kind of game with you.\u00a0 We were just doing what the doctor thought best.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe finally brought his head off of his arms and looked into the eyes of his father.\u00a0 He wished so badly that he could remember the man who obviously cared for him, and the brother who still held onto his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cMy name is Joe.\u201d\u00a0 He whispered more to himself than to the other two men.<\/p>\n \u201cYour name is Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded and a smile rose on his face being able to say the name again at long last.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat has happened to me?\u00a0 Where was I going?\u00a0 What was I doing?\u00a0 Why did someone leave me to die?\u201d\u00a0 The questions came pouring out.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get some coffee in to you and I will explain it all.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said and removed the whiskey bottle from the table.\u00a0 He brought the coffee pot back over and poured three cups and passed them around.\u00a0 Hoss pulled the other chair over so he could also be close to his brother.<\/p>\n Joe took a long drink to calm his frayed nerves and looked back at Ben waiting for the answers that he needed to try and put the pieces of his life together.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, to start with, we own a ranch just outside of Virginia City and we raise cattle and horses.\u00a0 As to where you were going and why, we had sold the army a large string of horses.\u00a0 You were delivering the last of them and were to receive payment for the sale.\u201d\u00a0 Ben paused as he watched the information registering in Joe\u2019s brain.<\/p>\n \u201cThen I had money on me?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked, understanding now why he might have been way layed by his attacker.<\/p>\n \u201cFive thousand dollars.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss answered and noticed Joe\u2019s mouth dropping open at his remark.<\/p>\n \u201cFive thousand dollars!\u00a0 I lost five thousand dollars?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben put his hand on his youngest son\u2019s shoulder and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou didn\u2019t lose anything.\u00a0 You were robbed\u2014by someone who obviously followed you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact of the matter is that I was responsible for that money, and now it\u2019s gone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are all that matters to us, no amount of money could replace you.\u201d\u00a0 Ben insisted firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, someone followed me\u2014then they stole the money and left me for dead.\u00a0 And it took you all what\u2014more than a month to find me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t because we weren\u2019t trying, Little Brother.\u00a0 Pa and me went all the way to Salt Flats and tried to retrace your steps, without any luck.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t until the sheriff in<\/p>\n Miller\u2019s Crossing got our telegraph that we learned you were here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got to get that money back to you.\u201d\u00a0 Joe stated adamantly and stood from the table.<\/p>\n Ben followed suit and forced his son\u2019s face to stare into his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cNo you don\u2019t! For all we know whoever did it is miles away now.\u00a0 The money makes no difference.\u00a0 We just want you home and safe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook, Mr. Cartwright\u2014I lost the money\u2014regardless how it happened\u2014now I owe it to you to get it back!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am your father.\u201d\u00a0 Ben returned, his heart aching that Joe could not see it, nor comprehend the love that went with the title.<\/p>\n Joe looked down at the floor.\u00a0 He had witnessed the sadness that the older man wore.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2014this is all so much for me to take in.\u00a0 I can\u2019t go home with you until I find out who did this to me.\u00a0 I can\u2019t go anywhere until I get that money back to you.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss moved over to the other Cartwrights to try his best to ease the tenseness in the room. \u201c We have plenty of money, Joe.\u00a0 That five thousand would not make or break us.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go home\u2014maybe once you are back in your normal surroundings some of your past will come back to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss is right, Joseph\u2014please come home!\u201d\u00a0 Ben pulled the boy\u2019s chin up and stared again into the troubled green depths of his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cGive me a couple of days\u2014let me get use to it all.\u201d\u00a0 Joe paused and read the defeat on both of the other men\u2019s faces.\u00a0 \u201cI thought that once I met someone from my past that I would remember everything\u2014and now that it didn\u2019t happen I am afraid I may never be who I was.\u00a0 If I came to your home with you I wouldn\u2019t be the same person that I was before\u2014could you all accept that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou may not know who you are\u2014maybe you will find out, maybe not.\u00a0 But, Joseph, you are forgetting that WE know who you are!\u00a0 That is enough for us.\u00a0 No-one expects anything of you right now\u2014other than to know that we are your family and that we love you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Mr. Cartwright, if you will give me a couple of days to get use to the idea\u2014then I will return to your ranch with you both.\u201d\u00a0 Joe conceded finally accepting the two men in front of him would not give up on their plans.<\/p>\n Hoss smiled and squeezed his brother\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll give you the time you need, Joe.\u00a0 But, could you do me a personal favor?\u201d\u00a0 He asked and Joe looked into the blueness of the big man\u2019s bright eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the favor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis man here\u2014\u201d Hoss pointed over to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cHe is my father\u2014he is your father\u2014could you call him \u201cpa\u201d?\u00a0 If you keep calling him Mr. Cartwright, I might have to start being all formal myself.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss made his point without making his brother uncomfortable.\u00a0 Hoss could see the angst on his father\u2019s face every time Joe had called him \u201cMr. Cartwright\u201d and he knew that Ben was having difficulty saying anything about it himself.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess\u2014\u201d Joe said and looked over at the silver-haired man.\u00a0 \u201cIf it makes you feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks.\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded toward the young man.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m kinda tired\u2014it\u2019s been a long day\u2014a very long day.\u201d\u00a0 Joe stammered trying to make a subtle suggestion that he wanted some peace and quiet to mull everything over by himself.<\/p>\n \u201cHow about you take that bunk tonight, Joe?\u00a0 I would be glad to stay out here tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNaw\u2014Hoss\u2014think I\u2019d like to just sleep in front of the stove again.\u00a0 You both go to bed\u2014I\u2019ll clean up the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked over at Hoss.\u00a0 Hoss was giving the sign to his father that they should do as Joe asked to give him a little time alone to adjust.\u00a0 Ben decided that in this case, his middle son was right.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll let you get some rest, Joseph.\u201d\u00a0 Ben agreed and stopped short.\u00a0 He wanted to reach over and pull Joe towards him, to see if the boy could draw some of the strength of his father into himself.\u00a0 Though Joe\u2019s memory had not allowed his father to return, Ben hoped that Joe\u2019s heart would remember on it\u2019s own.\u00a0 Not wanting to make the boy uncomfortable, Ben settled for a quick pat to Joe\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight, Hoss\u2014goodnight\u2014Pa\u201d Joe called over to them as they walked to their room.\u00a0 Both the other Cartwrights smiled at Joe\u2019s attempt to fit in and acknowledge his father by calling him \u201cpa\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight, Son.\u201d\u00a0 Ben answered and followed Hoss into the back room. Ben was the first man up the next morning and he crept quietly into the next room.\u00a0 Looking down at the sleeping young man by the stove, he smiled contentedly.\u00a0 There had been no nightmares the previous night, and Ben could only think of that as a good sign.\u00a0 As Joe started to stir on the floor his eyes focused on the man staring down at him now.<\/p>\n \u201cYou slept straight through last night.\u201d\u00a0 Ben commented as Joe sat up stiffly.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014first time that I can remember doing that.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied and pulled himself to standing.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll fix some coffee.\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled and made his way over to the sink.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes followed him.\u00a0 He noted the man\u2019s height and weight and facial features.\u00a0 They were nothing like his own.\u00a0 He also thought on the other man now.\u00a0 Hoss looked nothing like him either.<\/p>\n Ben could feel the stare, and turning back to the stove with the filled coffee pot he met Joe\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYou thinking on something, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014I guess\u2014I was just thinking about the fact that I look nothing like you or your other son.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben laughed, it was not the first time he had heard the boy make that statement.\u00a0 \u201cYou look like your mother.\u00a0 In fact, all my sons look like their mothers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMothers?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked surprised.\u00a0 \u201cHoss and I have different mothers?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben set the coffee pot on the stove and walked over to the table and pointed for his son to join him.\u00a0 Joe sat down opposite the man and waited.<\/p>\n \u201cNow I mentioned briefly last night that you are my third and youngest son.\u00a0 Your oldest brother is named Adam.\u00a0 He is in St. Louis presently but should be returning soon.\u00a0 I sent him a telegraph that you were missing.\u00a0 Anyway\u2014his mother\u2019s name was Elizabeth.\u00a0 I married her in New England and she died right after Adam was born.\u201d\u00a0 Ben stopped to give Joe time to take in this information.\u00a0 \u201cI brought Adam out west to start a new life.\u00a0 On the way I met up with Hoss\u2019 mother.\u00a0 Her name was Inger.\u00a0 She died before we made it to Nevada.\u00a0 Hoss was just a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2014\u201d Joe broke in.\u00a0 \u201cI hate to make you talk about this\u2014it sounds awfully sad.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben reached over and put his hand over his son\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cNo, you need to know this.\u00a0 I started a ranch\u2014we named it the Ponderosa.\u201d\u00a0 Ben waited to see if that name would register on his son\u2019s face.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t.\u00a0 \u201cOn a trip to New Orleans I met your mother.\u00a0 Her name was Marie.\u00a0 I married her and we started our life on that new ranch with Hoss and Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs she still alive?\u201d Joe had to ask.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Son.\u00a0 Marie had a fall\u2014a very bad fall from her horse.\u00a0 You were just a little boy at the time\u2014just five years old.\u201d\u00a0 Ben saw how Joe dropped his head and had hoped that the memory of Marie might come forth.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have had a lot of tragedies, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 Joe nodded and saw Ben look at him peculiar<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened to \u201cpa\u201d?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry\u2014I\u2019m still trying to get use to this.\u201d\u00a0 Joe apologized, a bit embarrassed.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway\u2014as I was saying at the start of this little history lesson\u2014all my sons favor their mothers.\u00a0 And I consider that a blessing!\u201d\u00a0 Ben laughed and heard a chuckle from behind him.\u00a0 He turned to see Hoss standing there.\u00a0 He had listened to his father\u2019s rendition of the Cartwright family\u2019s history.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, my ma wasn\u2019t over six foot\u2014but Pa says that I got her eyes and her hair color!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou do at that!\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled back at Hoss as he took a seat next to them both.\u00a0 \u201cAnd Adam has Elizabeth\u2019s dark hair and eyes.\u00a0 And you, Joseph, have your mother\u2019s curls and brilliant green eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that explains that.\u201d\u00a0 Joe nodded satisfied.<\/p>\n \u201cHey\u2014what did you think?\u00a0 You think we were really strangers pretending we were family?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked and put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014but you have to admit\u2014we don\u2019t look much like kin.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stood and grabbed the coffee cups and brought over the steaming pot to fill the cups for his sons.\u00a0 \u201cI never really thought about that, Joseph!\u00a0 You boys all have your differences, but you have some great similarities as well.\u00a0 You will see once we are home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI promised Vince I would help him get the hay loaded in their barn today.\u00a0 I still owe the Green\u2019s for all they\u2019ve done for me.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said as he accepted his coffee from Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cPa and me was thinking last night about that.\u00a0 You go on and do what you need to these next couple of days.\u00a0 Meanwhile we are gonna check around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCheck around?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked.\u00a0 \u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are going to see if we can come up with any leads as to who robbed you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t have much to go on.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied discouraged by the lack of clues.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are gonna talk to the men from the Triple B who found you that day.\u00a0 Also check out if anyone around town has recently come into some money.\u00a0 It\u2019s a slim chance, but since you need some time here before you can go home\u2014it beats just sitting here.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said and saw Joe nod gratefully.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks\u2014for doing this\u2014it\u2019s something I do need.\u00a0 I better get going.\u201d\u00a0 Joe stood and strapped on his new gun belt.\u00a0 After adjusting it and throwing on his coat he looked at the other two men.\u00a0 \u201cListen\u2014you both be careful.\u00a0 Whoever did this to me is a killer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be careful.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss replied as Joe opened the door.<\/p>\n \u201cSee you later!\u201d\u00a0 Joe gave a quick smile and left the cabin.<\/p>\n Hiram walked into his house later that same afternoon, he had some good news to tell his wife and wanted to be the first to let her know.<\/p>\n \u201cYour are home early!\u201d\u00a0 Linda smiled and planted a kiss on her husband\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cI know, Darling, and I can\u2019t stay very long.\u00a0 But, I have some news to tell you!<\/p>\n Let\u2019s sit down.\u201d\u00a0 He said and they moved to the love seat in the parlor.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI spoke to the Cartwrights.\u00a0 They told Joe who they were last night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014you told me you didn\u2019t want them to!\u201d\u00a0 Linda interrupted.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, the boy pretty much figured it out anyway.\u00a0 I am very hopeful that he will regain his memory soon.\u00a0 Ben said he had a peaceful sleep last night and no sign of headaches this morning.\u00a0 I can only take that as a positive sign.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am so happy, Hiram!\u00a0 He is such a good kid.\u00a0 Vince has grown so attached to him, though, he will hate to see him leave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Ben did say they are going to stay for awhile longer.\u00a0 Who knows?\u00a0 Maybe Joe will even regain his memory before he leaves here!\u201d\u00a0 Hiram smiled and hugged his wife close to him.<\/p>\n \u201cI would love to see that!\u00a0 You saved that boy\u2019s life.\u00a0 You can be very proud of yourself, Doctor Green!\u201d\u00a0 Linda kissed her husband again.<\/p>\n \u201cYou keep kissing me like that and I will miss my appointments later today.\u00a0 Now how about fixing the old doctor some lunch?\u201d\u00a0 Hiram grinned taking her hand.<\/p>\n \u201cIt just so happens I have something all ready for you!\u00a0 I always know when you are coming home early.\u201d\u00a0 Linda led Hiram into the other room.<\/p>\n During the conversation, neither Linda nor Hiram noticed that Keith Statham stood in the alcove listening to all that they had said.\u00a0 He bent down and adjusted the tie to his holster and checked his gun to make sure it was fully loaded.\u00a0 Then, quietly he made his way outside.<\/p>\n Ben Cartwright shook the bank manager\u2019s hand and stepped out of the building.\u00a0 The information he had received made his blood go cold.\u00a0 He had an urgency to get to Hoss who had gone over to the Triple B to talk with the ranch hands who had originally found Joe.\u00a0 Hurriedly swinging himself up into the saddle, Ben turned Buck to the east and off to get his middle son.<\/p>\n Hoss leaned heavily upon the corral gate talking to the two men who had rescued his little brother.\u00a0 Looking across the field he spotted a dust cloud coming closer.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t long before he spotted his father\u2019s mount and knew there had to be trouble for Ben to be riding in so rapidly.<\/p>\n Not taking the time to dismount, Ben called over to his son, \u201cHoss\u2014we have to get over to Hiram\u2019s place right now!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked walking over to get his horse.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s ride\u2014I\u2019ll fill you in on the way over there!\u201d\u00a0 Ben called over, urgency in his tone of voice.<\/p>\n Hoss swung into his saddle and turned his horse away from the Triple B.\u00a0 He had no idea what the problem was, but could tell that it must have something to do with Joe.<\/p>\n Joe mopped his brow and looked down at Vince from his perch up in the hayloft.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll finish stacking these\u2014why don\u2019t you go get the next wagon, Vince?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGee, Bill, I was hoping you\u2019d get tired enough to take a break before I go and get the next load!\u201d\u00a0 Vince smiled and leaned against the wall in the barn.<\/p>\n Joe sat down and let his legs dangle over the edge of the loft.\u00a0 \u201cYou called me Bill again.\u201d\u00a0 Joe laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014sorry\u2014boy this is hard to get straight in my head.\u00a0 One minute you are my friend named Bill and the next minute you are someone named Joe!\u201d\u00a0 Vince teased his friend.<\/p>\n \u201cHey\u2014if you think it\u2019s hard on YOU\u2014imagine how I feel!\u00a0 It\u2019s not easy being two people you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014I reckon it was a shock to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow\u2014let\u2019s get the haying done\u2014then I promised you a couple of beers, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014a bribe is a bribe but I\u2019ll take it!\u00a0 It\u2019ll take me about a half an hour to bring the next load in from the pasture.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTake your time\u2014it will take me at least that long to finish up here.\u201d<\/p>\n Vince walked out of the barn and over to the wagon.\u00a0 He sent the team out of the yard to get the next shipment of hay.<\/p>\n Joe went to work stacking the hay in the loft, oblivious to the figure that stole quietly into the barn and up the ladder.\u00a0 It was only when he heard the clicking sound that he turned around.\u00a0 He then saw Keith holding a gun pointed directly at him.<\/p>\n \u201cKeith?\u00a0 What\u2019s going on?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked bewildered. \u201cYou and I are going for a little ride.\u00a0 Now you move down that ladder or I will shoot you here.\u201d\u00a0 He spat out venomously.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cMove!\u201d\u00a0 Keith shouted pointing the gun at Joe\u2019s abdomen.<\/p>\n Joe decided not to argue with the gun, instinct telling him that the man was serious.\u00a0 He slowly came down the ladder watching as Keith came down as well, careful to keep his gun in front of him and pointed at his victim.<\/p>\n \u201cThe horses are out back\u2014you pull anything and I will shoot you right here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou could at least tell me why you want me dead.\u201d\u00a0 Joe muttered walking towards the back door of the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted you dead a month ago\u2014but seems like you didn\u2019t cooperate.\u201d\u00a0 Keith answered as he got closer to Joe\u2019s back with his weapon.<\/p>\n It was then that Joe realized what the other man was saying.\u00a0 When that realization hit him, Joe knew that he was at last facing the man who had bushwhacked him.\u00a0 The anger took control of Joe\u2019s senses and he spun around knocking the gun from Keith\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Keith tried to retrieve his weapon but Joe jumped on top of him and the fight began.\u00a0 The two men rolled across the barn\u2019s floor with fists flying.\u00a0 Keith managed to glance a blow to the side of Joe\u2019s head and he fell back.\u00a0 Keith tried again for the gun but Joe was quickly to his feet and kicked it away and then sent a punch that knocked the other man against one of the stalls.\u00a0 Joe dove at him again and Keith threw a clod of dirt in his eyes, temporarily blinding him.\u00a0 Falling to his knees, Joe felt a kick to his back which sent him sprawling onto the floor.\u00a0 Keith was able to make it to his gun and as he leveled it to send a bullet towards Joe, the sound of a gun blast filled the air.<\/p>\n Joe looked up and saw Ben Cartwright standing in the doorway, gun drawn and smoking.\u00a0 He turned to see Keith laid out on the ground.\u00a0 Then there were shouts as Hiram and Linda made their way into the barn along with Hoss.\u00a0 Hiram bent down to check on Keith.\u00a0 The bullet had found it\u2019s target, but had not killed the man.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d\u00a0 Ben called out and hurried to his son\u2019s side, gathering the boy into his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was a close one.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said wryly.<\/p>\n Ben inspected Joe\u2019s injuries and was relieved to see there were only several cuts and bruises detectable.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat in the devil is going on?\u201d\u00a0 Hiram called out as he checked Keith\u2019s bullet wound to his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cKeith is the one who bushwhacked me.\u201d\u00a0 Joe started as his father helped him to standing.\u00a0 \u201cBut\u2014how did you know?\u201d\u00a0 He asked Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cI did some checking in town.\u00a0 There was only one new depositor recently.\u00a0 Keith Statham.\u00a0 And his deposit was five thousand dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you had died then I would have had it all!\u00a0\u00a0 Damn you!\u201d\u00a0 Keith cursed biting back the pain from his wound.<\/p>\n \u201cHow could you do this?\u00a0 How could you do this to all of us?\u201d\u00a0 Linda cried thinking of what the news would do to her daughter.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted Beth to have the best of everything.\u201d\u00a0 Keith explained.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing bought with blood money ever lasts.\u201d\u00a0 Hiram replied and helped the man stand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll patch you up\u2014then it\u2019s off to jail.\u00a0 I\u2019m just glad we found out before my daughter ruined her life by marrying you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll help watch him for you, Doc.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss said and assisted Hiram out of the barn with Keith.<\/p>\n Ben turned his attention back towards his youngest son.\u00a0 \u201cYou all right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014I am thanks to you\u2014Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Joe smiled at the man before him.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get you back to the cabin and clean you up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t.\u00a0 I still have to get that haying done.\u201d\u00a0 Joe insisted.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think so.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said and put his arm around his son and turned him toward the door.\u00a0 \u201cYou will learn, Young Man, that you get that stubborn streak from your father\u2014and mine runs a whole lot deeper than yours.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe frowned at the man\u2019s statement but decided he wasn\u2019t really in any shape to argue with him either.\u00a0 Reluctantly, Joe walked over to get his horse.<\/p>\n Rinsing his face off in the basin in the back room, Joe winced at his facial cuts.\u00a0 His right eye was already partially swollen shut and the pain from that was second only to his bruised and aching ribcage.<\/p>\n \u201cCome over here.\u201d\u00a0 Ben insisted and reached for Joe\u2019s arm to assist him with the move over to the bunk.\u00a0 Easing his way to sitting Joe looked up at the other man.\u00a0 Ben held in his hands a bottle of some kind of tonic.\u00a0 Joe admitted to himself that he would much rather have something to be taken internally, like whiskey.<\/p>\n Ben sat next to his son and dabbed some of the antiseptic on a cloth and began applying it to some of the facial cuts before him.\u00a0 Joe winced at the stinging that was caused by the man\u2019s medicine.\u00a0 \u201cI know is smarts a bit, Son\u2014but it will help.\u201d\u00a0 Ben stated and continued to patiently tend the injuries.<\/p>\n \u201cYou look like you\u2019ve had some experience tending these kinds of things.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied.<\/p>\n Ben chuckled and stared into the hazel eyes which still held no recognition of the young man\u2019s past and numerous ailments or mishaps.\u00a0 \u201cI sure have. Your brothers have had their share of injuries, but actually I\u2019ve spent much more time patching you up, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAccident prone?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked and Ben set down the towel.<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be an understatement.\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled and stood.\u00a0 \u201cI want you to rest awhile.\u00a0 You\u2019ve had quite a day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t believe it was Keith all along.\u00a0 I\u2019ve spent so much time around him and all of the Green family\u2014I never would have thought it was him.\u00a0 Why do you think he decided to kill me today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe obviously heard about you learning who you are.\u00a0 He might have been worried that your memory would be back along with the knowledge that he was the one who had robbed you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014I sure am glad that you and Hoss showed up.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben reached down and touched Joe\u2019s face tenderly.\u00a0 \u201cSo am I.\u00a0 Now\u2014no more talking\u2014you get some rest.\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned to leave the room.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s too early to go to sleep\u2014\u201d Joe complained as he tried to sit up, but rethought the move after a stabbing pain hit the right side of his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cRest\u2014now that\u2019s an order!\u201d\u00a0 Ben commanded and closed the door.<\/p>\n Hoss didn\u2019t make it back to the cabin until much later that night.\u00a0 Ben sat at the table sipping his coffee.\u00a0 Joe had slept all afternoon, and was still out when Ben had last checked on him.\u00a0 Hoss unstrapped his gun belt and took a seat at the table.\u00a0 Ben was quick to offer his son some coffee, which the other son accepted gratefully.<\/p>\n \u201cWant some supper?\u00a0 I have soup on the stove.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNaw, Pa.\u00a0 I grabbed something in town.\u00a0 Me and Doc got old Keith locked up tight at the jail.\u00a0 Once all was said and done that no good son of a gun spilled his guts!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe confessed to it all?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked surprised at the thought.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, told the sheriff all about it. Oh\u2014and he sold Cochise and Joe\u2019s gear.\u00a0 Still had the paper work in with his things at his place.\u00a0 Hiram sent one of his hands over to Downyville to get them for Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s wonderful!\u201d\u00a0 Ben exclaimed, so pleased with the good news.\u00a0 Cochise had become almost like one of the family, and Ben knew of the strong bond which his youngest held with the animal.\u00a0 He hoped that somehow Joe would remember the horse.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBanged up a bit\u2014but he will be fine.\u00a0 I checked him over pretty good.\u00a0 Got some bruised ribs, but nothing is broken.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think he will come home now?\u00a0 I mean he has his answers\u2014and he was so worried about the money and now we\u2019ve found it.\u00a0 Since Keith confessed there won\u2019t be no trial\u2014\u201dHoss went on with making his case on why they were free to go back to the Ponderosa now.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll ask him if he\u2019s ready when he gets up.\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess I am ready.\u201d\u00a0 Came Joe\u2019s quiet voice from behind the other two men.\u00a0 He slowly walked over to the table and took a seat.\u00a0 \u201cYou are right, Hoss, I have my answers\u2014at least to what happened to me now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll get more answers once we get home.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss smiled at his little brother, relieved that the boy had agreed to come home.<\/p>\n \u201cI still don\u2019t know if I will ever be the person you both remember.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben reached across the table and put his hand over the young man\u2019s right hand.\u00a0 \u201cYou will.\u00a0 You just come home and take it easy.\u00a0 Nobody will put any demands on you to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if I never get my memories of you all back?\u00a0\u00a0 What if I never get my memories of ME back?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked, fear displaying all over his face.<\/p>\n \u201cThen we\u2019ll make new ones.\u201d\u00a0 Ben answered, and the words came out with love in them.<\/p>\n Joe rode the pinto with his new-found family at his side.\u00a0 He thought about his sad farewell to the Green family.\u00a0 He knew that they felt awful about Keith, but they had assured Joe that it was better to have found out about his evil ways before he had married their daughter.\u00a0 Joe thought on his friendship with Vince.\u00a0 He knew he would miss the other young man, but had promised to visit him and his family once he got his memory back. -if ever- Joe thought to himself as he looked down at his mount.<\/p>\n His father had gone through great pains to tell him all about the special relationship he had with Cochise.\u00a0 Hoss had even shown his brother some of the tricks that they related that Joe had taught the pony.\u00a0 Joe did feel at ease on his horse, though the memories of the animal would not come.<\/p>\n Four days later, Ben raised his hand to signal his two sons to come to a halt.\u00a0 In front of them stretched out the vast Lake Tahoe.\u00a0 Ben had chosen this spot carefully, hoping and praying to jog a single memory loose in his youngest son\u2019s mind.\u00a0 Down through the dense pines, just beyond sight, stood a monument built for Joe\u2019s mother.\u00a0 It was Marie Cartwrights grave.<\/p>\n Joe breathed in deeply the cool lake air.\u00a0 He closed his eyes and as he did, Ben and Hoss shared and anxious glance back and forth at each other.\u00a0 Then the hazel eyes reopened and they both could tell that no memory of his mother existed in Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful place.\u201d\u00a0 Joe nodded and looked over at the two men.\u00a0 He had learned enough about them over the past week to be able to spot disappointment in their eyes.\u00a0 \u201cOkay\u2014what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhatcha mean, Little Brother?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked sheepishly.<\/p>\n \u201cThis place\u2014it means something to the both of you\u2014I mean other than the fact that it is a great view.\u00a0 So, what is it?\u201d\u00a0 Joe persisted.<\/p>\n Ben dismounted and pointed for Joe to do the same.\u00a0 Joe followed his father down the well-worn path that went through the pines and stopped short at a prominent over-look of the lake. It was then that he saw the headstone bearing his mother\u2019s name.<\/p>\n \u201cMy mother.\u201d\u00a0 Joe whispered as he approached the grave.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded sadly as he brushed the fallen leaves off of the granite headstone.<\/p>\n \u201cGuess I should remember this place, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve been here many times, Joseph.\u00a0 Times with me\u2014times by yourself when you have felt troubled.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2014sorry I don\u2019t remember.\u201d\u00a0 Joe remorsefully addressed his father.<\/p>\n Ben put his arm across Joe\u2019s shoulder and pulled him closer.\u00a0 \u201cYou have nothing to be sorry for.\u00a0 Someday\u2014someday you will remember.\u00a0 I am very sure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow far to the house?\u201d\u00a0 Joe changed the subject, wanting to leave the sad location.<\/p>\n \u201cNot far\u2014guess we better go.\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned once more to cast a fleeting glance towards Marie\u2019s grave. ***help our boy****He prayed as they returned to the horses.<\/p>\n Joe settled down under the heavy quilt on his bed.\u00a0 He snuggled deeper, feeling the bed conforming to his weary body.\u00a0 It was warm and comfortable here in the room that the Cartwrights had told him was indeed his.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes circled the room falling on every picture, every piece of furniture, taking it all in.\u00a0 He gave a long tired sigh.\u00a0 Nothing was familiar even here.\u00a0 Joe thought back on his first evening in his new home.\u00a0 He had felt funny as the Chinese cook had greeted him at the door with a long speal in his foreign tongue and a quick hug.\u00a0 Still remembering the hurt on the oriental\u2019s face when he had not gotten his normal expected greeting back.\u00a0 Joe tried, he really did.\u00a0 He had been told on the trip back all about Hop Sing.\u00a0 This was a man who was really part of the Cartwright family.\u00a0 Hop Sing, Joe had been told, had raised him from infancy and had been a very important part of his life.\u00a0 Joe remembered none of that, and felt guilty because of it<\/p>\n Then there had been the grand tour of the house, and so many stories of things that had happened in the past that it had made Joe\u2019s head swim with all the information being thrust upon him.\u00a0 He still fought the intense headache that he had carried since he walked inside the large ranch house.\u00a0 Joe decided not to let the others know about it, as they would surely worry and perhaps even summon a doctor to tend to it.<\/p>\n Just as he was about to close his eyes, Joe saw the door to his room push open and then noticed the dimly lit lantern making it\u2019s way into the room carried by his father.<\/p>\n \u201cJust checking\u2014I was a bit worried about you.\u201d\u00a0 Ben confessed moving over to the chair next to his son\u2019s bed and easing his way into it.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m okay.\u201d\u00a0 Joe whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a bit much, Joseph\u2014all of what we\u2019ve told you this past week.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want you to feel over-whelmed by it all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to remember all of it\u2014that\u2019s for sure.\u00a0 Like learning everything\u2014twenty years worth all over again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cForgive our zeal\u2014we are just so happy to have you back home.\u00a0 Sometimes we forget how new this is for you.\u201d\u00a0 Ben reached over and touched Joe\u2019s shoulder sympathetically.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand.\u201d\u00a0 Joe retuned quietly trying to hide his continuing headache.<\/p>\n Ben could pick up on the pain, he knew his son that well.\u00a0 \u201cHow long you been hurting?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour head\u2014it\u2019s hurting.\u201d\u00a0 Ben countered.<\/p>\n \u201cA couple of hours is all.\u00a0 I just need some sleep is all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s not better by morning, we need to get the doctor here to check on you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou worry too much.\u201d\u00a0 Joe protested his father\u2019s mounting concern.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014and I always will.\u201d\u00a0 Ben chuckled and stood up once more.\u00a0 \u201cNow you get some sleep.\u00a0 I am just down the hall\u2014remember?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwo doors down\u2014across the hall.\u00a0 Yes, I remember that much from the tour.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight, Son\u2014welcome home.\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled and turned out of the room.<\/p>\n Hoss Cartwright was a picture of misery as he stood in front of the fireplace in the living room.\u00a0 He felt as though he was at his wit\u2019s end.\u00a0 It had been two weeks since they had brought Joe back to the ranch.\u00a0 Two weeks worth of explaining everything to his little brother.\u00a0 It was starting to get a bit depressing, as Joe had still remembered nothing.\u00a0 Hoss had shared so many stories with his brother, stories of what they had done together throughout the years.\u00a0 But, Joe was not like the little brother he had grown up with.\u00a0 The changes would probably have made anyone in their right mind happy, but not Hoss.<\/p>\n Gone was the happy-go-lucky wild Little Joe.\u00a0 Gone was the boy who delighted in aggravating his brothers.\u00a0 Gone was the oft\u2019 time lazy young man who slept late and partied way into the night.\u00a0 In his place, was a calm and reverent young man who never raised his voice, never did anything to raise the ire of his father.\u00a0 The \u201cold\u201d Joe was replaced by someone who might look as he had, but that was where all resemblance had stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, then, what you are upset about is the fact that your brother is respectful, obedient and dependable?\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyes questioned his tender-hearted son.\u00a0 \u201cAs I recall, that is what you and Adam use to hope for him to be like!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt ain\u2019t that, Pa!\u00a0 Not that I mind and all\u2014it\u2019s just not Little Joe!\u00a0 He looks like him\u2014but he is like the perfect brother\u2014and perfect son!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want me to do about it, Hoss?\u00a0 Go up there and tell him to start acting like his old self?\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t remember his old self!\u201d\u00a0 Ben stood now and squared off with his middle boy.\u00a0 He, too, was having some difficulty adjusting to the new and improved Joe Cartwright, but had not voiced his opinions.\u00a0 Ben was afraid to voice what he was feeling in his heart.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe we should tell him what he was like!\u201d Hoss said exasperated. \u201cAll\u2019s we\u2019ve talked about is the good things in his life\u2014none of the bad.\u00a0 Maybe he thinks this is how he was?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou want me to tell him all of the bad things he\u2019s done in the past?\u00a0 You want me to tell him all the awful things that have happened to him in his short lifetime?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2014it\u2019s not just the good things that makes us what we are\u2014you have said that before haven\u2019t you?\u00a0 It\u2019s the bad things that makes us tough, too.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss tried to get his point across.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014so I tell Joseph the bad things in his life and he will suddenly turn into the boy we all know and love!\u00a0 You think it\u2019s that easy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHeck, I don\u2019t know any more.\u00a0 I am just saying that we should not paint this picture of the perfect son or brother. None of us are perfect, it ain\u2019t fair to let him think he was.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben turned toward the stairs and Hoss grabbed his father\u2019s arm, not giving up on his suggestions.\u00a0 \u201cWell?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked into the intent and purposeful blue eyes.\u00a0 He could see that Hoss was hurting.\u00a0 The bond he had shared with his baby brother was a strong one and he wanted that back.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll think on it.\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded and continued up the stairs.<\/p>\n Ben had waited and mulled over his conversation with Hoss.\u00a0 Days passed, with Ben keeping a watchful eye on both of his sons.\u00a0 Joe was doing his best to impress them all with his work, that was easy enough to spot right off.\u00a0 Ben felt a stab of remorse.\u00a0 He, too, missed the irascible young man with the many excuses to get out of work, and the ready-made alibis to get out of trouble.<\/p>\n By the end of the week, Ben had had enough with the whole situation and decided it was time to talk with Joe.\u00a0 Waiting until Hoss had turned in for the evening, Ben stopped Joe before he, too, had turned for the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to talk with you, Joseph\u2014if you don\u2019t mind?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa.\u00a0 Anything wrong?\u201d\u00a0 He asked and moved over to the settee.\u00a0 Ben settled into his chair by the fireplace and stared over at the young man.\u00a0 He fought to put the words into his head.\u00a0 Ben wasn\u2019t sure how to tackle the situation.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve been working mighty hard lately, Joseph.\u00a0 I was just worried that you are perhaps over-doing a little.\u201d\u00a0 Ben started.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes questioned his father\u2019s statement.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just doing my job.\u00a0 Am I doing something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, of course not!\u00a0 As a matter of fact, you are doing everything right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen, I don\u2019t understand.\u00a0 I am just trying to be the son you want me to be.\u00a0 I am keeping up with everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to try so hard.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied softly, still fighting for the right words to convey his thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cI am just trying to be your son.\u00a0 You know it\u2019s kind of hard being the perfect Joe Cartwright\u2014I don\u2019t even know the guy.\u201d\u00a0 Joe retorted wryly.<\/p>\n \u201cPerfect Joe Cartwright?\u00a0 Who would he be?\u201d\u00a0 Ben raised his eyebrows in gesture.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d Joe was surprised by Ben\u2019s remarks.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Joe Cartwright I knew\u2014the one I raised\u2014was far from perfect.\u00a0 But, then, since he was MY son that was expected.\u201d\u00a0 Ben now wore a smile on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014so I am doing better than the original Joe?\u00a0 What do you want me to do?\u00a0 You want me to goof off?\u00a0 Want me to rob a bank or something?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes to the goofing off, no to the robbing of the bank.\u201d\u00a0 Ben teased and noticed how Joe was deeply confused at the moment.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s our fault\u2014Hoss\u2019 and mine\u2014\u201d Ben started and moved to sit down next to Joe on the settee.\u00a0 \u201cWe told you all of these wonderful stories about you\u2014we made you think that you use to be perfect.\u00a0 I guess you were trying to match that picture.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2014you want to tell me some bad stuff now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know where to start.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, how about telling me some medium bad.\u00a0 I think I could wait on the really bad stuff awhile.\u00a0 Tell me what I am like\u2014or rather what I use to be like.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said his curiosity now peaked in anticipation.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014well, you never liked to get up in the morning.\u00a0 You liked to sneak out of the house and stay out late.\u00a0 You were a hard worker\u2014that is when you wanted to be.\u00a0 But, you did more than your share of goofing off!\u00a0 You had a bad temper, not always, but when angered you were a force to be reckoned with!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think I like me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014you weren\u2019t all that bad\u2014really you just had your moments.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure now why the heck you wanted me back to tell you the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you kept us on our toes.\u00a0 Because you taught us all a thing or two along the way.\u00a0 And because you are my son and I love you.\u201d\u00a0 Ben squeezed Joe\u2019s shoulder affectionately.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me something I did\u2014you know so I can get an idea of what you want from me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll tell you a little story.\u00a0 Let me see your left hand a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked confused and Ben reached over and drew Joe\u2019s left hand close to him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see this scar on your thumb?\u201d\u00a0 Ben pointed to a still visible line that ran up the outside of Joe\u2019s left thumb.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about it?\u00a0 How did I get it?\u201d\u00a0 Joe looked at the mark and then back up into Ben\u2019s reflective brown eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were just six years old.\u00a0 One day you got into Hoss\u2019 things and got out his pen knife.\u00a0 Now let me tell you, you had already been warned about this many times.\u00a0 You had been forbidden to use a knife.\u00a0 But, that did not stop you, no sir!\u201d\u00a0 Ben stood up and walked over to the staircase.\u00a0 \u201cCome here.\u201d\u00a0 He called and Joe joined him at the bottom step.<\/p>\n \u201cNow you decided that you would put your initials right here on this banister for posterity.\u00a0 Look down at the base.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said and they both kneeled down.\u00a0 There on the inside of the post were the distinct carvings of the letters j and c.\u00a0 \u201cA stunt that caused you to cut through that thumb of yours!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOuch.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied looking down at how deep the scar must have been to still be so visible fourteen years later.<\/p>\n \u201cNow you did not fess up right away.\u00a0 No, you told me several wild stories before your brother Adam noticed the wood carving and Hoss noticed that his knife was missing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014so my brothers ratted me out, huh?\u201d\u00a0 Joe was now amused at the thought.<\/p>\n \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t be laughing if you still remembered the tanning that you got from me!\u201d\u00a0 Ben assured Joe and they both stood back up.\u00a0 \u201cThat is just one story.\u00a0 Believe me there are lots more of them.\u00a0 Want to hear more?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked smiling at the way Joe was still staring down at his thumb and the scar it carried.<\/p>\n \u201cI kinda get the picture already.\u00a0 Tell me this\u2014if you had to add up the good things and bad things I did\u2014which would be greater?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have to think on that.\u201d\u00a0 Ben stated deep in thought and saw the way Joe looked now.\u00a0 He seemed a bit upset at the remark.\u00a0 Ben decided to lighten his son\u2019s burden and reached over and touched his arm.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m only kidding, Joseph.\u00a0 The joy you have brought me over the years far outweighs the sadness.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe sighed and closed his eyes.\u00a0 It was then that the headache hit and he fell to the stairs clutching his head.\u00a0 Ben knelt next to him and drew him close.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph?\u00a0 Are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s bad\u2014real bad.\u201d\u00a0 Joe whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to get the doctor.\u201d\u00a0 Ben insisted, noticing the way his son\u2019s face had gone as white as a sheet.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014no doctor.\u00a0 Just help me to my room.\u00a0 I just need to lie down.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben wrapped his arm around Joe and helped him up the flight of stairs and down the hallway into his room.\u00a0 Once Joe was in bed, Ben pushed back the hair on his forehead and worried.\u00a0 \u201cPlease let me get the doctor, Joseph.\u00a0 I can tell you are in pain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWorst one I ever had.\u201d\u00a0 Joe bit his lip and tried to catch his breath.\u00a0 \u201cJust let me get some sleep.\u00a0 I promise that in the morning if it\u2019s not better I will see the doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI still think\u2014\u201d Ben started but Joe cut him off.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease?\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes begged to have his way.<\/p>\n Ben pushed back the curls on his son\u2019s forehead again and shook his head in defeat.\u00a0 \u201cYou close those eyes.\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna sit right here until you dose off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be fine.\u201d\u00a0 Joe whispered and closed his eyes.<\/p>\n Ben watched and waited.\u00a0 He felt he should seek Doctor Martin for assurance that his son would be all right.\u00a0 Vowing to summon the man in the morning, Ben sank back into the chair and waited.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t long before Joe fell into a deep sleep.\u00a0 Ben reached over and pulled the covers up around the boy.\u00a0 Peace had fallen on Joe\u2019s face and he did not appear to be in any further pain.\u00a0 Ben sat there for several hours, until he was sure that his son would have a restful slumber.\u00a0 He left the room a little after midnight, with a promise to himself that his son would be seeing the doctor the next day.<\/p>\n Shortly before daybreak came the loud ear-piercing shouts emanating out of Joe\u2019s bedroom.\u00a0 Ben sprang to his feet and hurried out of his room and across the hall.\u00a0 Upon entering his son\u2019s room, Ben saw the young man sitting up in bed, still screaming at the top of his lungs.<\/p>\n Rushing to Joe\u2019s aid Ben was quickly across the room and pulled Joe into his strong arms.\u00a0 He could feel the rapid warm breath against his own neck and the moisture of the boy\u2019s perspiring forehead as it pressed against his cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph\u2014it\u2019s just a nightmare\u2014c\u2019mon\u2014snap out of it.\u201d\u00a0 Ben whispered as he brushed his hand through the hair on the back of his son\u2019s head.<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014Pa\u2014it was awful\u2014just awful!\u201d\u00a0 Joe sobbed as he came back around.\u00a0 He could feel his body shake even though he was still encased in the loving arms of his father.<\/p>\n \u201cShush now\u2014shh\u2014 it was just a dream.\u00a0 Everything\u2019s gonna be fine\u2014just fine.\u201d\u00a0 Ben rocked Joe to try and calm his persistent fear.<\/p>\n Joe pulled back enough so that he could look into his father\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 Feeling the tears as they coursed down out of his eyes and tracked down his face, Joe fought to convey his dream to his father.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2014it scared me so bad\u2014so bad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was it, Son?\u00a0 Do you remember this time?\u201d\u00a0 Ben whispered calmly.<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t find you!\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t find my way home.\u00a0 I was so scared\u2014I kept trying to find you but you kept disappearing.\u00a0 It was like you were out of focus, the harder I tried to get to you the faster you faded away.\u00a0 It was scarier than that dream I use to have about Eagle\u2019s Nest!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyes went wild, they intensified and opened wide with what Joe had revealed.\u00a0 \u201cEagle\u2019s Nest?\u201d\u00a0 He asked and saw Joe nod his response.\u00a0 \u201cWho told you about Eagle\u2019sNest?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0 Joe did not understand his father\u2019s question.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2014\u201d Ben started and then looked real hard at the boy.\u00a0 He did not see that far away look in his eyes that had been there since he was first seen at the cabin.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is my birth date?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked again.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust tell me.\u201d\u00a0 Ben insisted, starting to shake a little bit himself with anticipation over his son\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n \u201cFebruary twelfth\u2014why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was the name of your first pony?\u201d\u00a0 Ben continued with his questioning, hope rising in his chest for the first time in weeks.<\/p>\n \u201cPaint\u2014why are you asking me this stuff?\u00a0 You trying to get my mind off this nightmare?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne more question\u2014just answer me one more.\u00a0 You had an imaginary friend when you were little, what was his name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGosh, Pa! This is embarrassing\u2014if this is how you bring me out of nightmares now\u2014I don\u2019t think I will call out for you anymore!\u201d\u00a0 Joe protested.<\/p>\n \u201cHis name.\u201d\u00a0 Ben persisted.<\/p>\n \u201cSammy\u2014gee you are really making me pay for waking you up!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Joseph!\u00a0 You\u2019re back!\u201d\u00a0 Ben exclaimed joyously and hugged the boy to him.<\/p>\n Joe could not understand the intensity that there was in his father\u2019s remark nor his embrace.\u00a0 When Ben finally eased up on him, Joe looked back up.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened, Pa?\u00a0 Where was I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat dream you had\u2014it was no dream.\u00a0 You have been gone a long time\u2014but none of that matters right now.\u00a0 All that matters is that you are back.\u201d\u00a0 Ben kissed Joe\u2019s forehead softly and let the boy settle back down in the bed. He saw how Joe\u2019s face still held confusion on it and Ben grinned as he pulled the covers back up around him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll explain everything in the morning.\u00a0 Hoss is gonna be so happy to have his little brother back home!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe scrunched back into the pillow, his fatigue taking back over.\u00a0 \u201cOkay\u2014Pa\u2014tell me about it when I get up.\u00a0 But promise me when you tell Hoss \u2014\u201d Joe paused and looked at Ben with a peculiar grin on his face.\u00a0 \u201cLeave out the part where you asked me about Sammy, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben laughed and left the room.\u00a0 He knew he wouldn\u2019t be going back to sleep now.\u00a0 He felt too good to go back to bed.\u00a0 A new day would soon be starting, a very wonderful new day at that.<\/p>\n Epilogue:<\/strong><\/p>\n Hoss was more than thrilled to have his little brother back, the way he had always been before.\u00a0 Joe did not skip a beat getting back to his normal routine.\u00a0 He slept late, skipped out before the haying had been done and was the first to the bath house before dinner.\u00a0 All the irritating habits of one Joe Cartwright, were more than welcomed by his family now.\u00a0 They were so happy to see the bright eyes and the scheming facial expressions worn proudly by the young man that they all loved so much.\u00a0 Joe had always been a very interesting mixture of joy and mischief and would continue to be just as irritatingly irresistible as he had been all his life.<\/p>\n Ben and Hoss stepped in from the kitchen with the evening coffee.\u00a0 Sitting down, the two men noticed Joe standing by the staircase, an impish look entertaining the young man\u2019s face.\u00a0 Watching carefully as Ben set down the coffee pot and took his seat in his chair, Joe waited for his opportunity.\u00a0 When Ben lifted his newspaper up to his lap, in preparation to read, something flew across the room and landed on top of it.\u00a0 Ben looked over at Joe as he lifted up the object; a pocket knife.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t cut myself this time, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Joe grinned over at him. \u201cGoodnight, Pa, goodnight, Big Brother.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and hurried up the stairs.<\/p>\n Ben and Hoss exchanged glances, and finally Ben caught on to what Joe had said.\u00a0 He stood and walked over to the staircase and looked down at where the initials j and c were still visible.\u00a0 Joe watched from around the corner at the top of the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cNow\u2014Pa\u2014you don\u2019t think I\u2019d do something that stupid again do you?\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s voice came down the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014of course not.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied, and as he turned his vision caught on the other banister post. There, directly opposite from where, at the age of six Joe had emblazoned his initials, was a clearly new carving.\u00a0 Ben bent down and read the new carving, \u201cj c 4 ever\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s voice resounded through the entire house.\u00a0 The only reply was the distinct laughter of one Joseph Francis Cartwright.\u00a0 He was definitely back<\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n 1-15-02<\/p>\n Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tags:\u00a0 amnesia,\u00a0Family,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nIt took a long while for Joe to fall asleep that night.\u00a0 He laid on his bedroll watching the flames dance through the thin vents on the door of the stove.\u00a0 There was so much to mull over now.\u00a0 Joe knew the two strangers in the next room had suddenly become his family.\u00a0 He could tell by the affection that had been displayed, that they did indeed care about him.\u00a0 But, Joe wondered if he would ever be able to return that affection.\u00a0 He prayed that he would awaken to the return of his memory, just as he had prayed every night since he had awakened in Hiram\u2019s office more than a month prior.\u00a0 With that Joe\u2019s final thought, he slowly drifted off to sleep.<\/p>\n